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Two weeks after blaze, Randolph Diner reopens |
By Matt Manochio | Daily Record | Morris Cty. NJ
Just two weeks after the Randolph Diner experienced $180,000 in damages from a kitchen fire, the eatery reopened and regular customers are pleased to see it back in business.
"I was upset because I like coming here," said Peter Rosen, an attorney who practices in Randolph, over a cup of coffee Tuesday.
"I take my wife here sometimes, we were sorry to see it closed," said Rosen, a Rockaway Township resident.
A kitchen fire broke out the morning of Feb. 1 and damaged the diner's kitchen and ceiling. Nobody was hurt, but firefighters had to knock down part of the building's walls to make sure the blaze didn't spread internally. The diner, located on Route 10 Eastbound. The fire happened on a Tuesday and work to repair the building commenced the Friday after the blaze. The diner reopened on Valentine's Day.
Diner owner Bobby Spiropoulos said he and his contractor worked practically around the clock to repair the diner and equip it with new fire safety equipment and kitchen installations. Insurance paid for the repairs, he said. Electrical and plumbing work also was done.
"We worked very hard," he said. "We worked over the weekends to reopen it. Even days when they were not supposed to come out, they came out."
He was especially thankful for the township officials who worked with him to obtain the proper permits so he could begin reconstruction and to reopen.
Spiropoulos, who's owned the diner for 15 years, said business is picking back up after a two-week hiatus. Lunch time was quite busy on Tuesday, with people sitting at the kitchen-side counter, as well as in the dining area.
"When he closed, we starved," joked regular customer George Petrides, of the township.
"There was no place to eat," he said.
Petrides said he was glad to see the diner reopen and in such short order.
"I was very surprised," he said while having lunch with his daughter, Elena. "I was traveling at the time and I was very surprised (by the fire). I was very happy it opened as soon as I came back." |
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