By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
The owner of the Corner Grill hopes to be back serving burgers within three months.
Larry Cain said Wednesday that because of water and smoke damage caused by a fire Monday morning the interior of the eatery will pretty much have to be gutted. He will try to save some signature elements such as the countertops. Still the nostalgic will be the same.
Firefighters were called to the grill shortly before 8 a.m. Monday as the crew was preparing to open. Flames shot up from behind a grill as it was heating, and that fire extended into the hood, and from there into an abandoned stairwell next to the building through which the grills ventilated.
That structure is owned by Jim Gavarone who operates Mr. Spots next door. The fire also temporarily closed Mr. Spots, but that restaurant is back operating.
Cain said because of the damage from the fire that stairwell will now have to be removed. That’s one of the factors that will play into when the Corner Grill is back in operation.
The grill itself will get a facelift, and all that work will have to be inspected and approved by the county. “That’s always the biggest thing, making sure things get codified,” Cain said.
Much of the work, including getting new equipment, was already planned, but had been put off because of the vagaries of financing and operating a small business.
Now that work will be done, and the new Corner Grill will be even better, he said.
The owner said he was touched by the support he’s received.
Howard Club H, just a couple doors down on North Main Street, will hold a benefit for the Corner Grill Saturday from 2 p.m. until Sunday at 2 a.m. But afterward the club’s patrons will not be able to make their usual stop at the Corner Grill for after-hours sustenance.
And the Cookie Jar, around the corner on East Court Street, is also donating a portion of its receipts to help get the eatery back open.
Cain appreciates the way “the community rallied around us … The customers are great. Suppliers have been positive.”
“This is our home,” he said. “People are so wonderful.”
