Article From the Ledger Indpendent: October 4th 2008

The Smokehouse: When Marc Harrison and Scott Osborne, along with Kelly Harrison, decided to open a barbecue restaurant, they didn't realize how quickly the business would outgrow its current location.

In business just 10 months. Marc and Scott are exploring options to move The Smokehouse restaurant to a new location on Kentucky 9, the AA Highway in Tollesboro and the two men are now the sole partners and owners of the business.

"We've done well," Marc said. "About February, things really took off. We're still working to perfect our product."

Their product includes pulled pork barbecue, baby-back ribs, hickory smoked ribs and chicken and pork chops.

To help promote their restaurant, catering service and home-made barbecue entrees, Marc, Scott, and Rick "Skeeter" Shaw have attended area festivals and events with appearances at the Buffalo Trace Balloon Race, Pig Out on Market, the Tollesboro Fair and the Augusta Regatta to name a few.

"Everything is home-made, with our own recipes and home-made sauces," Marc said, which is the role "Skeeter" Shaw plays in the business as head barbecue specialist.

Playing to the public has drawn attention to the restaurant, with The Smokehouse barbecue team taking second prize in the BBQ division and third prize in the baby-back ribs division at this year's Pig Out on Market, the first time the team has entered the contest.

Rounding out the staff of The Smokehouse since its opening in December 2007 are Jeremie French, Tonya Hord and Dameon Downing.

The Smokehouse is decorated to reflect Marc and Scott's connection to Tollesboro and the local area. Marc's parents, Harold and Henrietta Harrison grew up in Tollesboro and recently retired back to the area. Scott is Marc's uncle. Photos of movie stars past and present, sport figures such as Johnny Bench and Tony Perez and the 1983 Tollesboro High School 39th District Basketball Champions adorn the walls. Vintage license plates from several states and old advertising signs give the restaurant's interior a sense of familiarity and local flavor.

The menu selection at The Smokehouse is also in keeping with the hometown flavor, boasting the Mason County Royal Burger, Tollesboro Tenderloin and Cabin Creek Fish Tail.

As a University of Kentucky graduate, Marc worked in the restaurant industry while living there. He said he explored his options after graduation and when his parents moved back to Lewis County, he decided he'd move here also.

"I wanted a place in the community where friends and family could come and enjoy," Marc said of his reasons for opening The Smokehouse.

The Smokehouse is located at 8500 Mason-Lewis Road, Plumville; telephone number 606-564-9008. To learn more visit http://www.bbqkentucky.com or Email: T-City@live.com. Business hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m; closed Monday.