An early-morning kitchen fire at the South Locust Amigos/Kings Classic restaurant in Grand Island was minutes from burning the entire building down when fire crews arrived on the scene. In the video below, manager Doug Einspahr talks about the damage and some of the immediate challenges the restaurant needs to address (click the play button to watch).
Einspahr would have never originally guessed that it would take four months for the business to re-open to the public. During that time, Grand Island hosted the State Fair, Husker Harvest Days, Harvest of Harmony, and state volleyball. On top of lost revenue, the employees were displaced and lost wages.
This story had a happy ending but how would your story end?
If you are a restaurant or grocery store, the Michigan Department of Agriculture created an in-depth guide to help plan for some common hazards. The
Emergency Action Plans for a Retail Food Establishment guide provides useful information for businesses of all sizes.
Credits/acknowledgements:
Grand Island Independent, August 12, 2010
NTV, December 14, 2010
Michigan Department of Agriculture
