The Hunkerdown, a family-run coffee shop, situated in the small, unincorporated town of Sinks Grove, in Monroe County, celebrated their one-year anniversary in business in December 2024. According to owners Tammy and Guy McAninch, opening a coffee shop was not on their radar when moving to West Virginia from Idaho. After purchasing a farmstead in Sinks Grove, the couple passed by the old building daily as it was being restored. Out of curiosity, they decided to stop by one day and chat with the owner of the building. During the discussion, the owner mentioned that one of his fondest memories was visiting a farm in Pickaway to sit around a fire, chat, and play music with locals. They called this gathering the Hunkerdown.
Guy, who is a chiropractor, was looking for office space to provide care to his clients when the building became available to rent. Renting such a large building meant there were ample opportunities besides just the chiropractic office. Being coffee lovers, the McAninch’s really missed the abundance of coffee shops in Idaho. It seemed there were coffee shops on every corner in their previous town, but now they had to drive a good distance to get good coffee. Coffee shops in Idaho were a place for people to gather, whether for a business meeting, to connect with friends, or just to relax and enjoy a hot—or cold—brewed coffee. Thus, they decided there was no better way to provide a social gathering place for the community than with a coffee shop called the Hunkerdown, incorporating the fond memories of the building owner.
After opening the shop, the McAninch’s thought carefully about more ideas to bring the community together. Then, the stories of the Hunkerdown gatherings from the owner sparked an idea. Why not host mountain music jams? These events, called “Jammin’ at the Hunkerdown,” bring the community together by sitting around with old and new friends, playing and listening to music, all while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee and the choice of a regular or vegetarian bowl of homemade soup.
On a regular basis, The Hunkerdown offers a variety of coffees, soups, sandwiches, and pastries. It provides an exquisite meal of homemade biscuits and gravy, made from scratch, on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to around 12 p.m. or until it is all gone. The shop also provides retail space offering local handmade goods, antique items, and sometimes candy. “It is really neat to be able to source our items from local people,” said Tammy. They are planning to host more workshops, such as paint nights, wreath-making workshops, and more. “These are great ways to bring the community together. It is cool to be able to sit back and watch the connections being made—it’s my favorite part of the business.”
In the future, the McAninch’s plan to expand the parking lot, add a fire pit and cornhole, and expand the outdoor space to create more exciting activities to enjoy, as well as adding pop-up events such as food truck gatherings. “We would love to get more people in the community involved,” said Guy. The community can also rent the shop as a venue for baby showers, parties, business meetings, and more. They also offer catering for these events if necessary.
If you are looking for an Airbnb, The Hunkerdown also offers a beautiful space in the back of the building for guests to enjoy. The space is cozy and homey, with modern décor and lots of natural light. It is a wonderful place for a comfortable stay in a small town.
The Hunkerdown is open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering customers a nice cup of coffee, unique retail items, and a space to make connections with friends and family. The chiropractic office is open for appointments and provides excellent care in a relaxed, friendly environment. To schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Guy McAninch at thatchiroguy@hotmail.com.
If you are interested in booking a stay at The Hunkerdown Airbnb, hosting your handmade items for sale in the shop, booking an event, or any other inquiry related to The Hunkerdown, contact Tammy McAninch at mcaninchmail@gmail.com. Stay updated on Jammin’ at the Hunkerdown events by visiting their Facebook page. It is an event you will not want to miss!
