Bookers celebrates seven years
Jun. 19—Kirklin is full of antique stores, unique shops and small town charm. And right on Main Street sits a business known for drawing in the crowds: Bookers Bar and Grill, an American-style eatery serving up tenderloins, burgers, steak and more.
Bookers recently celebrated its seven-year anniversary.
Owner Jennifer Ferguson has been in the restaurant business all her life. She had a friend in Kirklin that knew a space was about to become available as other development was going on around the town. Seven years later, Bookers Bar and Grill is the anchor of Kirklin and has earned a name for itself throughout the region and beyond.
"People don't come here just from Kirklin, they come from all over," Ferguson said. "It's a destination spot. It's been nothing short of amazing."
In addition to its regular customer base, Bookers also hosts weddings, class reunions, family gatherings and more.
She admits she struggled a bit during the pandemic, but the Bookers crew made the best of a bad situation.
"One of the coolest things with COVID, people were picking up food for their neighbors and getting 10 chicken dinners and dropping them off for their neighbors," Ferguson said.
After a few months of quarantine, she said she had customers picking up food and eating it in the parking lot across the street with their friends.
"We'd look over and there'd be people with their car doors open and a card table in between them eating their Bookers food," Ferguson said.
Many small businesses, restaurants in particular, ended up shutting their doors after the pandemic, but Bookers persevered. Through hard work and a loyal crew and customers, the restaurant is still around serving meals to travelers far and wide.
"I have an amazing staff," Ferguson said. "It's pretty much the same as when I started, besides a few that moved."
The restaurant is known for is its breaded tenderloins, which are cut by hand.
"We have people that drive here specifically for our tenderloin," she said.
Prior to moving to Kirklin, Ferguson lived in Lebanon. She said she frequently sees people from here when she walks through the dining room.
"We just love our restaurant and we love our customers," Ferguson said.
Bookers' newest addition is the inclusion of Travelers Point Distillery products. Travelers Point distills corn whiskey right next to Bookers. Ferguson said it's just another great thing that has made its way to Kirklin.
The restaurant offers a full menu of sandwiches, salads, appetizers, steaks, prime rib, catfish, shrimp, pasta, barbecued ribs, desserts, soft drinks and bar drinks. Regulars know to watch for the daily specials.
Lunch and dinner are the reason for coming, but visitors to Kirklin are hard pressed to dine and leave without visiting one of the quaint shops in town.
Bookers is at 109 N. Main St., Kirklin, and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
For daily specials and menu updates, visit Bookers Facebook page, @bookersbarandgrill.
