I'm excited to share that I am officially the new owner of The Hopwood House.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to Justine Blout and Tange McDowell for everything they've poured into this special place. They've built something that our community loves, and I recognize the responsibility that comes with carrying it forward. My goal isn't to change everything you love about Hopwood House, but to build on that foundation, introduce some new experiences, and give you even more reasons to visit.

I'm especially grateful to the wonderful team who have chosen to continue this journey with me: Chef RJ, Chef Laura, Rhonda, Gigi, and Mati. Their talent, dedication, and commitment to our guests are a big part of what makes Hopwood House special. I'm fortunate to have them by my side as we begin this next chapter.

And a special thank-you to Jay. We're excited for him as he begins his new role at Point Park and can't wait to see him on a stage someday soon. Fortunately, he's not leaving us completely. He'll be back to lead our Christmas sing-alongs this holiday season.

With my granddogs, Rafiki and Leo at Sara and Parker's wedding.

A New Chapter

Christmas House

On November 20, we're going all in for Hopwood Light Up Night.

We love the Hopwood Villagers and this community tradition. We are excited to support it by transforming Hopwood House into Christmas House, inside and out.

We'll have special Christmas entertainment throughout the evening, including the return of Jay, who will keep the holiday sing-alongs going all night.

Because of the number of people expected in our little town, dinner service will be by reservation only that evening. But everyone is welcome to stop by. Both our indoor and outdoor bars will be open for walk-in guests, offering drinks and small plates.

We hope you'll make Hopwood House part of your Hopwood Light Up Night tradition.

What's Next

We're planning a Grand Opening after the first of the year, but right now, our focus is on the holidays, taking great care of our regular guests, and welcoming some new faces.

We're continuing the quality and experience that Justine and Tange established, while gradually introducing a few new things.

Here's a little of what you can look forward to:

Fresh, creative pop-ups. Expect frequent new dishes and small plates inspired by ingredients at their freshest and best. We'll be trying new things, listening to your feedback, and letting your favorites help shape our future menu.
Fish Fry Fridays. We'll be introducing our own take on this local favorite, but we'll take a break during Lent. Our community's nonprofits work hard on their fish fries, and we want to see them thrive.
Comfort Food, Elevated. Throughout the winter, Saturdays will feature familiar, comforting favorites with a little Hopwood House creativity.
Thanksgiving From Our House to Your Home. We'll be offering chef-prepared Thanksgiving meals for pickup, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time around the table.
Holiday Parties. We're booking celebrations for groups of 10 to 120, with options for everything from intimate gatherings to larger celebrations.

A Little About Me & A Lot About Hopwood House

I grew up in Uniontown and have called Hopwood home for nearly 20 years. My three children, Shelby, Keebie, and Sara, all attended Laurel Highlands before heading off on their own adventures. Shelby now lives in New Orleans, Keebie in Pittsburgh, and Sara in Huntsville, Alabama. No matter where life takes us, this community will always be home.

I've spent most of my career in healthcare marketing, a career I love and plan to continue. Outside of work, life revolves around family, friends, good food, gardening, and dogs.

In our family, food has always been one of the ways we show love. Cooking for the people we care about, gathering around the table, and finding reasons to celebrate are some of my greatest pleasures. There's just something special about a house full of people, something wonderful cooking in the kitchen, and everyone enjoying themselves. I also spend a ridiculous amount of time gardening, and I'm looking forward to bringing some of that love to Hopwood House in the spring.

That love of food and bringing people together is a big part of what drew me to Hopwood House. To me, a great restaurant is about more than what's on the menu. It's about feeling comfortable, sharing a few laughs, and wanting to come back. It doesn't have to be fancy or reserved for special occasions. Sometimes the simplest evenings turn into the best memories.

That's what I hope we can create together at Hopwood House.

A place where you can stop in for a cocktail and a bite to eat, discover something new on the menu, gather with friends, or celebrate something special. Where the food is thoughtfully prepared, the atmosphere is warm, and there's always room for one more at the table.

I'm excited about this next chapter, not just because of what Hopwood House can become, but because of the people who will make it special. The familiar faces, the new friendships, the celebrations, the everyday dinners, and all the moments in between.

You'll still find me working during the day, but I'm looking forward to being part of the Hopwood House experience — meeting new people, catching up with familiar faces, and sharing plenty of good conversation and laughter.

Whether you've been coming to Hopwood House for years or have never walked through the door, I hope you'll feel that this is your House, too.

I can't wait to welcome you.