BANKS COUNTY, Ga. — A fire early Monday morning gutted a well-known Homer restaurant, leaving it a total loss.
Banks County Fire and Emergency Services, along with the Homer Fire Department, were dispatched around 1:11 a.m. to Tiny Town Restaurant, located at 1035 Historic Homer Highway. When crews arrived, they found the commercial structure heavily engulfed in flames, says Banks County Fire Chief Steve Nichols.
Nichols says firefighters launched a defensive attack to contain the blaze and worked to protect a nearby building that had started to catch fire. Crews were able to save that building, which sustained only minor damage.
No one was inside the restaurant when the fire broke out, and no injuries were reported. Fire officials cleared the scene at 9:15 a.m.
A staple of the community
Sherrie McQueen bought the restaurant, formerly known as Nannybells, in 2023. It was a staple for locals who enjoyed the down-home atmosphere.
McQueen alerted the public to the loss on social media, stating, “My heart is broken…Tiny Town has burned down.”
Dozens of friends, neighbors, and longtime customers have taken to social media to share memories and offer prayers for McQueen and her staff.
“This was an iconic restaurant. My heart is so broken,” wrote Rena Brown. “Prayers for the owners, employees, and the community.”
Others expressed hope that Homer’s beloved landmark could one day return. “We can come together as a community so Tiny Town can rise from the ashes in a brand new building,” said Preston David. “This community needs it. Nonetheless, I sincerely hate to think of all the memories and character the original building held. My heart goes out to you all.”
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation by the Banks County Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
