- Over $55,000 has already been raised for employees affected by a Main Street fire.
- The Main Street Fire Employee Assistance Fund aims to raise at least $500,000.
- Some businesses close to the fire are now open or will soon, while others plan to rebuild after the fire.
SALT LAKE CITY — More than $55,000 was raised in the first day to help workers affected by a massive fire that destroyed four Main Street businesses on Monday.
The money raised through the Main Street Fire Employee Assistance Fund, which Salt Lake City launched on Tuesday, in the first 24 hours represents about 10% of the goal to raise at least $500,000, according to the Salt Lake City Downtown Alliance.
"The past 24 hours of donations are proof of the values we share as Salt Lakers — courage, action, and generosity," said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. "We know that when tragedy strikes, community is always the answer. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed so far, and to the Downtown Alliance for quickly mobilizing this fund to support our residents in need."
The fund was promoted during the city's Twilight Concert Series event on Tuesday, and some benefit events are also in the works. All proceeds from the Main Street Fashion Show planned for Eccles Theater, 131 S. Main, on Friday will go toward the fund, event organizers said Wednesday.
David Tran, co-owner of London Belle Supper Club, one of the four businesses most impacted by the fire, is slated to speak at the event, which will begin at 8 p.m.
Firefighters say the fire began in London Belle's kitchen Monday night and quickly spread to neighboring businesses in the tightly packed complex they shared. Los Tapatios Taco Grill, Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining and White Horse Spirits & Kitchen were also heavily impacted, leading to likely rebuilds and leaving more than 200 employees without work.
A few other businesses in the area also dealt with fire-related impacts, ranging in severity.
Downtown Alliance officials have also urged people to consider supporting affected business owners by supporting other restaurants they own.
- Los Tapatios also has a location at 120 N. 900 West in Salt Lake City, as well as 3269 W. 5400 South in Taylorsville.
- Tran owns Plieku, located on 264 S. Main.
- The owners of Whiskey Street and White Horse also own Franklin Avenue at 231 S. Edison Street.
Businesses express appreciation
Many of the businesses affected by the fire say they're appreciative of the support they've received since the fire broke out. London Belle owners said they'll be closed for the foreseeable future, but hope to return to Main Street, in a Facebook post on Monday.
"We're always in awe of how amazing our (Salt Lake City) community is. Your kindness has meant the world to us since the day we opened, and especially now," the post says, in part.
The fire created "substantial damage" to Whiskey Street, with less severe damage to White Horse, the owners of the businesses wrote on social media after an initial assessment of the damage. They reiterated that they plan to rebuild, but it's too early to know when that will happen.
"Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for the firemen (Salt Lake City Fire Department) and emergency crews who worked through the night, and for the incredible outpouring of love we have received," they wrote on Tuesday. "The messages, calls and offers to help have reminded us how truly fortunate we are to be surrounded by such a caring and supportive community."
Block begins to reopen
While parts of Main Street from 300 South to 400 South remain closed off in front of the impacted businesses, parts of the block are quickly coming back to life.
Salt Lake firefighters say Eva Restaurant, 317 S. Main, was also impacted by the fire to some extent, but the owners wrote Tuesday that the smoke and water damage it received is "nothing major," and they're hopeful to reopen soon.
Firefighters were also able to prevent the fire from reaching Utah Book & Magazine, 327 S. Main, much to the business owner's surprise.
"It's just a miracle to be honest with you," said Peter Marshall, the store's owner, on Wednesday.
Felt Bar and Eatery, 341 S. Main, reopened on Wednesday after a power outage caused by the fire forced its owners to restock its perishable food items. Cheers to You, 315 S. Main, also reopened on Wednesday after impacts from the fire.
Contributing: Shelby Lofton
