BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Dec. 10 marks the two-year anniversary of the deadly tornado that killed 81 people in Western Kentucky, which destroyed a number of businesses along the way.

What You Need To Know

  • A deadly tornado in December 2021 killed more than 80 people in Bowling Green, wiping out many businesses

  • One of those businesses was Rian's Fatted Calf, a local meat store which is family-owned

  • Rian's Fatted Calf was temporarily put out of business until March 2023

  • It has been two years since the disaster struck

One of those businesses is Rian’s Fatted Calf, a family-owned meat store in Bowling Green. Stephen Bartos, the son of the co-owners, spends many of his days butchering meat and selling it to loyal customers. 

Bartos and his family have been doing this for years; however, their routine was in for a change on Dec. 11, 2021. The deadly storm ravaged through Bowling Green, wiping out a number of businesses, including Rian’s Fatted Calf.

“You see Mother Nature on television, but until you see it in person, you never get a true aspect of what Mother Nature can do," Bartos said. 

The tornado flooded the store with water, damaged its property including the machines they used and ultimately put them temporarily out of business.

Bartos saw the remnants after the storm cleared up. He had to park several blocks away because all the debris was blocking the roads. He eventually made it to Magnolia Street and knew he had to essentially start from scratch.

“It was heartbreaking to see everything we worked for, being destroyed in the blink of an eye," Bartos said. 

But he remained optimistic and was inspired by people from the community stopping to help. Bartos wanted to pull off a miracle and help rebuild the business from the ground up by buying new equipment, clearing the debris and going the whole nine yards. 

"My parents have always told me to never give up," Bartos said. "It’s always been our family motto, our mentality.”

The family was able to open the store in March 2023, a little less than a year-and-a-half after the tornado hit. Bartos said he reflects on the disaster often.

"As we reflect on it, in the two years, we’re just thankful," Bartos said. "That’s the best way I can put it. We’re thankful for being safe, being open and carry on our business further.”

Recovery projects to help people who were affected by the storm are still underway. Those would like to help or donate can go here. 

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