After the Fire: A Dumas Business is Rising from the Ashes

When you grow up in a small town like Dumas, Texas, when something happens, everyone feels the effects throughout the town.

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When a beloved local business sees tragedy, the owners and the people who have supported a business for years and possibly decades are devastated.

That's what happened to Big Country Cafe in Dumas, Texas.

An electrical fire started in the restaurant on April 3, 2023.  Tim Rehkopf, the owner, shared that the Fire Marshal said that the fire at the restaurant was accidental.

Unfortunately, the damage to the attic was so extensive that remodeling the restaurant was not possible. Therefore, the restaurant will have to be rebuilt from scratch. The building was constructed in 1959.

The Big Country Cafe has been in business for over 60 years.

The investigation as to what happened with the fire is still ongoing by the insurance companies.  However, Rehkopf said that are going to start rebuilding while the insurance finishes up the investigations.

They plan to put the new building where the parking lot was located, north of the old building, and in the same lot as the original building.  They broke ground on the new building, on Thursday, January 18th.

The whole community has jumped in to help get the Big Country Cafe back up and running in Dumas.  Rehkopf said that the Dumas Economic Development helped move the utility lines farther north, and Chris Johnson of First National Bank, helped them with a loan to rebuild the restaurant.  Willis Construction, another local company that has been in business in Dumas for over 40 years, is the General Contractor for the rebuild.

What can the people of Dumas expect from the new Big Country Cafe?

As mentioned earlier, Big Country Cafe has been in business for over 60 years.  Customers can expect the same menu as before.  Rehkopf said that the Big Country Cafe's claim to fame is that they serve breakfast all day long.  Those who have never visited the Big Country Cafe can anticipate a delicious meal when they reopen in their new building.  They serve breakfast, American food, and a little bit of Tex-Mex.