By Dylan McCament, KnoxPages.com Reporter
FREDERICKTOWN – The owner of the new restaurant and pub in Fredericktown wants to do his part to help with the revitalization of the village’s business district by offering good food and a little “old world charm.”
Dusty Frazier of Fredericktown opened Duffers Restaurant & Pub at 39 N. Main Street on September 7. On Saturday, many local residents, as well as representatives of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, gathered at the restaurant for a ribbon cutting and celebration.
Frazier, who also works as a funeral director and antiques dealer, said the restaurant and pub has been very well-received by the community and hopes that its success will encourage others to open new businesses in the village. He added people from as far away as Michigan and Wisconsin have come to dine there.
“I bought the building in 2011,” he said. “People would come to me and say that this would be a wonderful restaurant and pub.”
Dusty Frazier, owner of Duffers Restaurant & Pub in Fredericktown, prepares to cut a ribbon at a ceremony held Oct. 8. Standing to Frazier’s left is manager Montenique Frazier. Knox County Chamber of Commerce ambassadors Sheila Mills, on the far left, and, Paul Mayville, on the far right, are holding the ribbon. The ceremony was part was one of three held on Saturday to celebrate three new village businesses. KP Photo by Dylan McCament
Frazier said that, before opening the business, he asked a successful businessman for advice:
“I asked, how do you promote business? How do you instill pride in the community? How do you get back businesses that were there at one time? And he asked whether I had ever seen McDonald’s move into a depressed area. I said yes. What follows? A Wendy’s. When you have one business move in, the others will follow.”
Located in the basement of the historic King Blackburn House, the dim lighting, collection of antiques and vintage wooden walls and tables and bar make for an atmosphere that is unique in Knox County.
Frazier emphasized that Duffers is fashioned in the style of an Irish or English pub, adding that space is intentionally a little “tight,” which is in keeping with that style. The interior is adorned with reclaimed barn wood; the walls, just under the railing, are lined old tin from a barn roof; the bar itself is made of “wormy chestnut.”
Frazier said the plans for Duffers were laid out by Dan Seckel, a prominent architect out of Fredericktown who works solely on historical buildings, who advised him to “keep it simple.”
The menu includes sandwiches, soups, salads, wraps, paninis, appetizers like spinach and artichoke dip, as well as meals for children. Frazier said he has a good staff – about 20 employees – and applauded the efforts of manager Montenique Frazier.
“We are family-oriented. I’m trying to provide good quality meals for our community,” he said.
He added that his recent acquisition of a liquor license – which had to be put to a vote – has been key in the success of the Duffers.
“There was one left on the ballot. You almost need to have that to succeed today,” Frazier said. “I’ve been working on that since 2014.”
Frazier said the building was constructed in 1830 by the Civil War battle surgeon Dr. Wilson King who later sold it to Edward Blackburn’s great-grandfather Mose Blackburn. He added that both Mose Blackburn and Dr. Wilson were members of Abraham Lincoln’s Honor Guard.
“I like old properties,” Frazier said. “There is a lot of history here.”
