Kate’s Burger Counter has reopened on Kashagawigamog Lake Road after a Canada Day incident set the local eatery back over much of the summer.
Co-owners, Tanya Smith and Jon Tulk, were back in business Sept. 23 and have resumed fall hours.
Smith said she was changing the cooking oil July 3, but it hadn’t cooled enough and melted the bucket she was putting it in. It splashed across the floor, got under the counter, started to melt the drain pipe and the sub floor began smoldering.
Tulk called the fire department and the first volunteer on scene used the restaurant’s fire extinguisher.
Smith said there was very little fire or smoke damage “but there were just all the things that the firefighters had to do to make sure it didn’t get worse. So, there were holes in the floor. They banged out the counter, and a couple of holes in the walls to make sure there were no flames going up the wall. They were fantastic. They did a great job.”
It took about 11 weeks to make the necessary repairs and get things up and running. The business was still able to sell ice cream from the ice cream hut, as well, so it was not a total financial loss. The business also had insurance.
“Once the work started, it didn’t take long to get fixed,” Smith said.
She added their regulars and visitors were happy to see them reopened.
“We were busy over the weekend (Sept. 23). It was great. And everybody was excited.”
Tulk added, “we would really like to give a shout out to all of the wonderful people that came by, and still supported us for ice cream, and were concerned about the business going away. We’re back and we’re not going anywhere.”
Regular fall hours are Thursdays to Mondays 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
