The stormy weather brought by Hurricane Helene on Friday left a significant impact on a beloved beer garden located behind a longtime florist in Lexington.

Michler’s Florist reported on social media that its largest Hackberry tree was uprooted on Friday morning, resulting in the destruction of the vine-covered structures of two of its oldest greenhouses. Among the affected greenhouses was the open-air Kentucky Native Cafe kitchen and serving area.

This secluded cafe is well-regarded for its craft beer and delicious food, offering visitors a tranquil retreat in Lexington. At night, it transforms into a charming urban woodland garden, illuminated by lights draped amid the trees.

On Monday, owner Robin Michler shared that cleanup operations commenced on Saturday.

“Our main goal right now is to clean up, sort through the debris, and recover whatever we can,” Michler mentioned in an email. “Decisions regarding what will be rebuilt and when will involve lengthy discussions, and we won’t be able to provide answers for a while.”

The flower shop and cafe continue to operate during their usual business hours. Michler noted that the cafe is utilizing its winter service window within the largest glass greenhouse. They still intend to feature authors Silas House and David Arnold in their Last Monday Reading Series.

A post on the florists’ website indicated that the main structure for the cafe was constructed in the 1920s and was the larger of the two greenhouses affected by the fallen tree. The second greenhouse dates back to 1907 and was most recently used to house native perennials.

“Please bear with us as we navigate these changes. We’ll be working to restore our history while missing the shade provided by the old Hackberry,” the online update stated.

Established in 1901, Michler’s is a family-run florist shop that has been passed down through five generations. In the spring of 2015, Kentucky Native Cafe made its debut and has recently received the green light to renovate a two-story office building on High Street to create a bakery that will cater to the restaurant’s needs.