Community members eagerly embraced the re-opening of the Roadhouse Grille restaurant in South Surrey Monday morning, with a constant stream of happy, smiling customers trickling through its wide-open doors.
By 9 a.m. on Monday (Aug. 19), the restaurant's sunny parking lot was nearly full, with delicious breakfast smells wafting throughout the eatery, which had to shut its doors due to a suspicious early-morning fire on May 6.
"Door wide open," said one customer happily on his way in. "Nice to see you!"
"Good morning! Great to see you. It's great to be back!" said another.
Although one woman has since been arrested in relation to the fire, the struggle in re-opening the family-owned-and-operated establishment's doors was a journey, shared family representative Jana (last name withheld by request).
"We're happy to be back. It does feel good," she said.
While the flames did not cause structural damage, a custom-made cooler was destroyed, along with about $30,000 in food. Extensive cleaning and painting was also required to address pervasive smoke damage, while several delays related to replacing the cooler kept the restaurant's doors closed.
Despite having to temporarily lay off most staff because of the closure, Jana said the restaurant was able to retain most of their employees, especially key staff.
She also praised the community's response.
"Thanks to the community for their support," she said.
"It doesn't feel like it's just our restaurant... it feels like it's the community' restaurant."
