2 downtown businesses making progress toward reopening after Main Street fire

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Two beloved Salt Lake City bars are progressing toward reopening after the Main Street Fire.
White Horse Spirits and Kitchen is aiming to reopen on Jan. 1, 2026, while Whiskey Street faces at least a yearlong rebuild.

SALT LAKE CITY — In the month and a half since a large fire destroyed multiple downtown businesses, two bars are making progress toward reopening.

The fire on downtown Salt Lake City's Main Street did serious damage to various businesses. Parts of White Horse were salvageable, but Whiskey Street was a complete loss.

"And it did catch a lot of the bar on (fire), and those bottles just exploded," Jason LeCates, owner of both bars, said.

Along with the construction, progress is being made on these two businesses.

"We've started on the roof repair at White Horse," LeCates said.

A good chunk of its ceiling is missing, thanks to all of the water firefighters used to put out the towering flames.

"From the bar to the back of the building, almost everything was salvaged," LeCates said.

He said he's optimistic White Horse will open soon.

"So we're going to tentatively shoot to get White Horse reopened the first of next year," LeCates said.

Next door at Whiskey Street is a different story. LeCates said it will take at least one year to rebuild.

"(The) important part is the historic value of the building, and that is going to ultimately be the only thing that survives, is the historic brick," he said.

Reconstruction continues at White Horse Spirits and Kitchen, Thursday. Owner Jason LeCates said he plans to reopen White Horse on Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo: Shelby Lofton, KSL-TV)

However, there's been some holdups.

"Just waiting for all the involved insurance parties and ample time to get in and inspect the buildings," LeCates said.

He said the city and the fundraiser for employees has been a big help. It's a huge task to rebuild, but LeCates said he wouldn't move these businesses anywhere else.

"Never, no. I mean, we built Whiskey Street here because it belonged here, and we're going to rebuild it here," he said.

LeCates is excited to recreate the bar.

"We're going to reconfigure the building," he said. "We have plans to do a rooftop patio; we're ready to go bigger and better."

Businesses near White Horse and Whiskey Street have suffered since the fire. The owners are hoping that even while construction continues, people will come back and keep these businesses busy and open.

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