Fire claims upper story of Patsy’s

Fire Investigator Stephen Murphy speaks with Patsy Mobley, devastated owner of Patsy’s Journeyman Tuesday morning following a fire that destroyed the upper story of her business. Looking on is Roy Friend, left, and Jennifer Horton, Ripley County Health Inspector.

A fire that reportedly started late Monday night on Aug. 22 has resulted in extensive damage to the upper portion of Patsy’s Journeyman Restaurant.

Doniphan Fire Chief Brian Byrd said his department received a dispatch call at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

According to Byrd, crews responding to the scene “could see flames throwing out the back side of the building.

“We had to tear part of the front off to get into the bar part of the structure where the base of the fire was,” said Byrd.

Crews battled the blaze for four hours. The lower part of the restaurant was saved, and remains mostly intact, but sustained heavy smoke damage, Byrd said.

The cause of the fire is yet unknown.

Patsy’s Journeyman exists as the oldest running restaurant establishment in Doniphan. The structure was built in 1983, by Jack and Juanita Cook.

Patsy Mobley, who began working in restaurants at 11 years old, bought the business in 1988. Since that time Patsy’s Journeyman has been the fruition of a dream come true for the owner and a beloved fixture in town.

Mobley has served pizzeria fare and home cooking to Doniphan patrons for more than 40 years.

Patsy’s Journeyman has been a popular meeting place for groups and organizations and the site of family reunions, birthday and anniversary parties, weddings, and many other happy private and social events.