August 26, 2025

This morning a fire broke out at The Heirloom on the top floor of our building, leaving behind significant damage, but we are grateful to say no one was inside at the time.

The weight of this reality is hard to put into words. It’s not about the loss of wood, brick, or paint. It’s about the grief we feel for the countless hands that have worked tirelessly over the past year, breathing life back into this 25,000 square foot space. Every hammer swing, every brushstroke, every late night—this building has been a true labor of love.

Painted across our back wall, are the words: “Hospitality is our legacy.” Those words mean more now than ever before. They were never just about us, the many people pouring our hearts into this project; they were about our whole town. They were about the spirit of Laurel.

Within minutes of the fire, our phones lit up with messages:

“What can we help with?”

“What do you need?”

“We’ll be there with coffee and breakfast.”

“Lunch is on us today for your whole team.”

THIS is hospitality. Not the kind that can be taught, but the kind that is lived—deep in the bones of this place we call home. Our community has shown us, yet again, that we are not alone in this. And that’s why we rebuild. That’s why we don’t tear down or walk away. There is history here worth preserving, a story still unfolding, and a town we love too much to give up on.

Yes, today is heavy, but we still hold our heads up with hope. We are determined to keep going, whatever it takes. For our neighbors, for our children and theirs, for the generations yet to walk these streets, we will persevere.

We can't thank you enough for your support as we navigate this unexpected misfortune.

Hospitality (and perseverance) is our Legacy. Not just ours but Laurel’s.

And we believe the best is yet to come.

- Josh & Emily Nowell, Jim & Mallorie Rasberry