LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One Louisville restaurant owner whose flooding-defense strategy went viral on social media reopened his doors just in time for Derby Week.

What You Need To Know

  • Captain’s Quarters’s Co-Owner Andrew Masterson self-flooded his restaurant to save on expenses when floodwaters receded 

  • In April, a video showing clean water on the inside (and floodwaters on the outside) went viral on social media

  • Masterson said the hardest part of getting the restaurant ready for Derby Week was lining up contractors to get the work done

Andrew Masterson is the co-owner of Captain’s Quarters, located right off the Ohio River off of River Road.

When Kentucky was hit with near-record flooding earlier in the month, he self-flooded his own restaurant, catching the eye of social media.

He said it’s a method he uses to lighten the load on how much cleanup is required after the floodwaters recede.

“Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. It did okay this time, and it certainly did help us open up, I’d say, in record time. We opened in two weeks after the water receded, so that was pretty good,” he said.

Masterson said Derby week is an important week for any restaurant in the area.

He said it was a huge undertaking to get doors back open as quickly as they did.

“Just lining up the contractors and just the man hours that it takes to get the job done. It’s pretty tolling on all of our staff and myself,” Masterson said.

Even with a quick turnaround, he said they’re prepared to welcome in all their guests during such a tourist-heavy week.

Related Stories