Giving Back... the Franklin Fire Department Kitchen Makeover

Franklin Fire Station No. 1 Kitchen Makeover

You may recall that the Franklin Fire Department was involved in a nationwide on-line contest last year to win a kitchen makeover for Fire Station No. 1. Although there was tremendous support garnering over 50,000 votes, the Fire Department took second place to a homeless shelter in Minnesota. Even though the Department lost, the contest did bring to light the desperate need for the kitchen to be remodeled. The old kitchen was installed over 25 years ago and had been cheaply constructed. The cabinets were falling apart, making the kitchen essentially non-functional.

Shortly after the contest was over, John Hoppe of Hoppe Woodworks approached the Franklin Fire Department and offered to build and donate custom hardwood cabinets for the kitchen. Mr. Hoppe is a long-time resident of Franklin, with his business located on 27th Street. Hoppe helped to design an updated kitchen that would be more functional. With the help of his crew, he built beautiful cabinets with high-end hardware that will last a long time. Wanting the kitchen to be a showpiece yet understanding budgets, Hoppe was able to get his suppliers to donate and install granite countertops. The cabinets and countertops are better than anything a municipal budget would normally provide for and is greatly appreciated. The kitchen would have been remodeled sooner or later at full cost to the taxpayers, but thanks to John Hoppe the kitchen is a beautiful showpiece that will stand the test of time and at a minimal cost to the taxpayers.

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Without a doubt, this project was made possible because of community partners like John Hoppe and Hoppe Woodworks. With the generosity and support of the community, this project was completed at a greatly reduced cost. The Franklin Fire Station No. 1 now has that showpiece and functional kitchen.