Community rallies after busted water heater floods Winna’s Kitchen in Myrtle Beach

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) – A Myrtle Beach restaurant whose mission is to provide hot meals to those who are struggling, is now in need of some help.

Kinsey Muller, one of the owners of the restaurant, said a busted water heater from the apartment above the restaurant, flooded the business on Wednesday.

In videos posted by Muller, water can be seen pouring into the restaurant and causing heavy damage.

“It literally sounded like a torrential downpour in our building and that’s what it looked like,” said Muller. “I mean, it was literally pouring, and I first thought do we have a sprinkler system?”

Muller recalls entering Winna’s Kitchen moments before a scheduled reservation when she noticed dripping water coming from above the door.

She at first laughed it off, hoping it wasn’t on the inside, but Muller had a rude awakening when she saw her restaurant.

“Well my mom is my partner,” she said. “I called her crying.”

Muller shared how Winna’s Kitchen was prepping for a seven-course New Year’s brunch tasting in days to come, that now has to be canceled.

The family-owned restaurant opened in September 2021 along Main Street in Myrtle Beach. It also serves a greater purpose, however, as customers can help feed those in need by ordering a “Number One” which covers the cost of a meal for anyone who is hungry.

The restaurant said it will be closed while repairs are being made but in the meantime, Winna’s Kitchen is looking for a partner restaurant to help pick their “Number One” meals and it’s also looking for a place to host its New Year’s Eve dinner.

Many in the community have already heard about the restaurant’s struggles and have reached out to help.

“Grateful doesn’t begin to cover it. We’re floored with how our community have reached out with encouraging words, and solutions, and love,” the restaurant posted on its Facebook page.

MORE INFORMATION | Winna’s Kitchen Flood Recovery GoFundMe

People in the community have also set up a GoFundMe page to help out. Muller said the money raised by the GoFundMe will help them pay their employees until the insurance comes through, and has already raised nearly 1700 hundred dollars.

“A lot of folks are busy this time of year either traveling to or from being with their loved ones to see that folks are giving after they’ve already given, and perhaps even given out, they’re giving out of sacrifice,” said Mark Johnson, Organizer of the GoFundMe.

In addition to the go fund me, a determined plumber has stepped up to the plate, offering his help, put together these acts of kindness are helping the owners stay in good spirits.

“We’re just trying to keep a good attitude my mom always taught me she said the only thing you have control over is your attitude and so we’re gonna have a good attitude we’re gonna fix it we’re gonna open up and it’ll be fine,” said Muller. “Our doors may be closed for now but #DoGood continues through you.”

Copyright 2022 WMBF. All rights reserved.