By Glenn McGlothlin

glenn.mcglothlin@jessaminejournal.com

When Matthew Hind and Shayne Rogers first looked for a location to rent for their barbecue catering and food truck business, they were only looking for a kitchen. Two years later, they are operating their first brick-and-mortar restaurant right here in Nicholasville.

Although already open, HogFathers will celebrate its official opening at noon, Feb. 9, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1001 Elizabeth St.

Besides the formalities, Hind said there will also be other events that day.

“We will be having a raffle for a giveaway of our Party Basket for four,” he said.

Despite not being the first barbecue restaurant in town, HogFathers stands out as a local craft barbecue company, Hind said.

“We make our food in small batches,” he said. “It’s all made right here.”

While other chain restaurants have a large corporate backing, HogFathers is owned and operated by only two men.

“We’ve known each other for 10 years. In 2015, we started our business for catering,” Hind said. “We got a food truck and used that heavily for awhile.”

“We never dreamed of getting this place,” Rogers said. “Everything is new. All the rules and regulations. Everything.”

Hind said the chamber of commerce has been particularly welcoming and helpful to them.

“They have been extremely supportive of small businesses like us,” Hind said. “Nicholasville is a great place for small businesses.”

Barbecue is a passion for Hind and Rogers.

“We’re just making barbecue the way we like it so it’s a great feeling when people come to us because of our food,” Rogers said.

For now, HogFathers BBQ is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 8 p.m. Fridays.

For more information, call (859) 940-9821 or (859) 940-9823.