Cookie Jar Cafe plans to rebuild after fire

DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) —Popular family-owned restaurant, the Cookie Jar Cafe, caught on fire a little over two weeks ago.

The building was severely damaged while the family was on vacation.

The town of Dunlap and surrounding areas grieved the state of the family establishment.

“When we got the news and when we finally got back from out of town, it was absolutely devastating. It was like watching my best friend of 21 years go up in smoke,” owner Sue Ann Lockhart said.

The Cookie Jar Cafe opened back in 2001 and has been serving Dunlap and surrounding communities for over 20 years.

Since the fire on June 25, the community has gotten very involved, and the Cookie Jar is now looking to rebuild.

“We are very glad to announce today that we are rebuilding. We hope to be open by the end of the year. And we are so looking forward to seeing everyone’s smiling faces again. And getting those cookie jars washed up and back on the shelves,” Lockhart said.

“We have prayed and prayed and prayed over this. And one of the things that stood out in our mind was being able to provide a place for people to work. I had 38 employees the day the building burned. And so that was 38 lives that were affected,” Lockhart said.

Many workers shared their support and memories of what is better known as ‘The Jar.’

Along with personal messages, a Facebook challenge started in support of the Cookie Jar Cafe by sharing ‘Jar’ memories. 

“We have been absolutely overwhelmed with prayers and just people reaching out and trying to help anyway they can,” Lockhart said.

The family asks that donations be sent to online gift cards instead of a GoFundMe page.

Proceeds will go towards paying some of the employees to work now. 

The community can look forward to the restaurant reopening in the near future.

You can visit Cookie Jar Cafe’ (thecookiejarcafe.com) to donate online.