Story & Lesson Highlights with DEBRA THOMAS of Downtown

We recently had the chance to connect with DEBRA THOMAS and have shared our conversation below.

DEBRA, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, I’ve been training for a big adventure next May, walking the Camino de Santiago. I’ll be doing the Coastal Portuguese route, which starts in Porto and follows the beautiful Atlantic coastline before heading inland to Santiago de Compostela. Preparing has been its own source of joy: the long walks, the research, the daydreaming about who I’ll meet along the way. And honestly? I’m also training because I love to eat. Sampling the food and wine is very much part of the adventure!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Debbie Thomas, a former restaurant owner turned author and creative entrepreneur. For 14 years I owned Thomas Hill Organics in Paso Robles, California, and those experiences became the foundation for my memoir Fork Me, a candid (and often humorous) look at the chaos and charm of running a restaurant. These days, I write for national food and wine magazines and have also created a series of adult wine-themed coloring books called The World of Wine Through Color, which blend education with a bit of relaxation and fun. I’ve even expanded into custom coloring books for wineries, resorts, and food businesses. What makes my work unique is that it’s all rooted in storytelling, whether through a book, an article, or even a coloring page, I love making food and wine approachable, a little witty, and always engaging.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself was with my older brother, who passed away 11 years ago. He was always my biggest cheerleader, and I knew how proud he was of me. That kind of unconditional support stays with you. It gave me the confidence to take risks, believe in myself, and push forward even when things felt impossible. I still carry his voice with me, reminding me that I’m capable of more than I sometimes think.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life was growing up with an alcoholic father. Until I was almost 18, living at home felt like walking on eggshells, never knowing what each day would bring. It taught me early on not to count on anyone else to “make it” for me. I had to create my own path. I also carried anger toward my mom for staying in that marriage, but years later, when I found myself married to an alcoholic, I understood just how complicated and painful those choices can be. Healing has come slowly, through time, perspective, and a lot of self-reflection. It’s given me both resilience and empathy and the reminder that wounds don’t disappear, but they can become a source of strength.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is real, but it’s definitely the “edited” version. I’m actually an introvert at heart, which sometimes comes across as being a bit standoffish or even a snob, when really, I’m just quietly taking everything in. Owning a restaurant forced me to put on my “social butterfly” wings every day, greeting guests, hosting events, and always being “on,” even when I wanted nothing more than to hide in the kitchen. In reality, I keep a close-knit group of friends and feel most myself with them, but I still push myself to show up at social events even when it doesn’t come naturally. So yes, the public me is real but the private me is the one in comfy clothes, recharging before I have to be “on” again.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I was resilient, that I kept going, no matter what life threw my way. I’ve always had the attitude that I can do anything. At 21, I bought my first house. At 22, I moved to New York City on my own and became the first female buyer in the Foot Locker Corporation. Years later, I opened my second restaurant and poured a year into designing and creating it, only to close it a year later in order to keep my first restaurant afloat. It could have broken me but I kept going. That’s the story of my life: when things got tough, I chose not to fold, but to push forward. If people remember me as someone who carved her own path with determination, humor, and heart and maybe they believe they can keep going too. I’ll consider that a life well-lived.

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