Originally named "Jessie's Place", Kountry Kitchen was established in 1988 by Jessie "Ms. Jessie" Johnson White as a six-seat countertop diner in the Kennedy–King neighborhood of Indianapolis, at the corner of E. 19th St. & N. College Ave.[3][4] The restaurant quickly became a neighborhood staple. White ran the restaurant together with her daughter, Nell Wilson, until her death. After White's death, Nell Wilson and her husband, Isaac Wilson operated the restaurant under the new name "Country Kitchen". Isaac kept the restaurant after Nell's death, and eventually remarried with Cynthia Wright-Wilson; the couple, who continue to run the restaurant today using Jessie and Nell's original recipes, changed the name to Kountry Kitchen.[3][2]
In 2016, the restaurant's received a $400,000 grant from the Indianapolis Housing Authority's nonprofit development corporation to create new jobs by expanding the building and opening an event center.[5]
In the early morning of January 11, 2020, a fire broke out at the restaurant's College Avenue location, resulting in extensive damage and the closure of the building. No injuries were reported.[6] Initial reports noted the blaze started shortly after midnight and drew community attention as firefighters worked to contain it.[7]
Community members rallied in support, raising over $50,000 to assist employees and rebuild the business, including contributions from Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay.[3] Rebuilding was also made possible by nearly $200,000 left from the earlier IHA grant.[3] In addition, the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development provided a $1.2 million loan using the Grow Indianapolis Fund, which supplies capital to companies in distressed neighborhoods.[8]
During the closure and reconstruction period, the restaurant maintained a presence in Indianapolis by offering carry-out and catering from temporary locations.[1] On November 3, Kountry Kitchen reopened operations from a temporary location at a converted industrial building about a mile east of the original structure.[9]
Plans to rebuild a larger restaurant and event space were developed in the years following the fire. In June 2022, the Wilsons held a groundbreaking ceremony at the original College Avenue site with city leaders including Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, City-County Council President Vop Osili, Pacers mascot Boomer, and comedian Mike Epps in attendance.[5][3]
Kountry Kitchen officially reopened on October 19, 2023, at its original site following a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and other dignitaries. The new facility is larger than the original, able to accommodate about 300 people, with expanded dining areas and an event hall capable of hosting community gatherings.[10][1][11]
