MEXIA, TX — As we've learned the past month, shutting down a restaurant doesn't just impact the owners and employees, but sometimes it can affect an entire town.
After three weeks of closing its doors, Jim's Krispy Fried Chicken in Mexia reopened on Thursday. No one was happier than those who have come to love the longtime establishment.
Not only did owners Steve and Shara Hughes make some new remodeling improvements (a new parking lot), but they also have a new outlook.
"We can't operate at the same capacity that we were before, it's going to be slower," they said.
However, the exact same process remains intact for serving Jim's famous Krispy Fried Chicken, a staple in the town of Mexia since December 1974, that was shutdown due to the coronavirus.
"I didn't know what to tell people because I didn't know what I was doing" said Steve. "Never been faced with anything like this before."
Neither had customers of the restaurant. If anything, anticipation grew over the past three weeks, according to Mikey Horton.
"I looked online. They're on Facebook, and they posted yesterday that they would be open at 9:00." one customer said.
For Catherine Milam, a neighbor that lives right behind Jim's, her support isn't just for the chicken or coleslaw, but for Steve.
"He's a nice guy, the fellow that owns it."
To that, Steve was appreciative.
"I have a very loyal following and I'm very thankful for that. We just try to serve the best product we can at the best price we can," he said.
A product the townspeople have craved and missed, including the catfish. Navy Veteran, Darrell Solomon has traveled the world and says there's no place like this anywhere.
"Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm, that is so good. This is the best," he said.
A stamp of approval that will help drive more customers (eventually) to the inside of this longtime Mexia favorite once restaurants fully re-open.
After 19 days of being closed, they announced on their Facebook page they would be open during normal business hours but for take out only.
Jim’s Krispy Fried Chicken is located at 312 E Milam St in Mexia and will be open on Thursday, April 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m and is expected to have a line that stretches for several blocks.
