Storm damage forces closure of Sweet Kela's Kitchen in Mansfield

Hamilton said she discovered the damage after stopping at the restaurant to wait out the weather while picking up her son from football practice. The isolated pop-up storm with heavy downbursts of rain and estimated 50 to 60 mph winds raced through Mansfield at the time. 

"My son looked in and he said, 'Mom, the whole building has fell apart,'" Hamilton said. "I unlocked the door, and I walked in, and the whole roof, everything had fell in. In the kitchen, it had fallen in. ... I have so much damage, and it's going to take a lot to rebuild from this."

According to Hamilton, kitchen equipment was damaged when parts of the roof collapsed into the building. She estimates immediate losses and expenses are around $15,000, though final repair costs are expected to be much higher.

The closure is expected to last several months while repairs are completed. During that time, Hamilton said she and her employees will be without work and the business will continue facing ongoing expenses.

"This is a small business, I mean everybody loves Sweet Kela's Kitchen. It's a part of our town. We're in a small city, and I try my best. I have been going, struggling a little bit, keeping the doors open, and because of the price of inflation on everything, and, and this just is a major setback for me right now. Right now, I can't see the vision of how I'm going to come out of it."

Hamilton, who has operated the restaurant for six years, is asking the community for help as she works to reopen.

"I just want to thank everyone that shares it," she said. "Whoever can donate. If you can't donate, simply share. Whatever you can do to help, I thank you. And keep us in your prayers. That's the main thing, because at this point we really need prayers, and we need God because He's the one who's going to have the final say on this. I don't see how it's going to go, but He knows the way it's going. He knows the best. So, whatever outcome, I'm grateful for, but I just need, you know, sometimes everybody needs somebody, and I just need help along the way."

Those who would like to support Hamilton and Sweet Kela's Kitchen can donate through her GoFundMe campaign here.