The Smokin’ Pig, a popular family-owned restaurant in Grayville, will reopen its doors tomorrow (Wednesday) after an equipment malfunction forced a weekend closure and resulted in thousands of dollars in losses.
Manager Richard Bunting discovered the issue Saturday morning when he noticed the walk-in cooler was unusually warm—nearly 65 degrees, double the safe temperature for food storage. The culprit: a broken compressor that failed while the restaurant was closed for Thanksgiving, spoiling approximately $9,400 worth of food.
Bunting’s son, Drew, notified customers via Facebook about the closure and the reason behind it. The post was shared over 220 times, sparking an overwhelming wave of community support. Neighbors, friends, and even other local business owners stepped forward to help. Bree Pflaum, a close friend, launched a GoFundMe page, while donations also arrived through Venmo. A long-time family friend sent $1,000, and on Monday, Daisy Godinez, owner of Mis Tres Potrillos in Parkersburg, delivered a check for more than $2,000. Godinez explained her restaurant pledged 50% of its sales to The Smokin’ Pig, as a way of returning the kindness The Smokin’ Pig had shown her business during the COVID pandemic.
Bunting estimates the total loss—including spoiled food, lost revenue, and staff wages—at around $22,000. While insurance should cover some of the damage, local generosity is making a significant difference.
“People just give,” Bunting said. “Grayville, Albion—small communities like that are the most giving places you’ll find. Everybody knows everybody.”
The Smokin’ Pig will reopen tomorrow, ready to serve up steaks, fish, chicken wings, and more. Those wishing to help can contribute via the GoFundMe page or through the restaurant’s Venmo: @Smokin-Pig-1.