An historic Escanaba business was destroyed by fire Saturday morning.
Escanaba Public Safety says the call came in at just before 6:00 to come to the Stonehouse Restaurant at the intersection of Ludington Street and US-2/41 Lincoln Road.
When crews arrived, they saw thick, heavy smoke coming from the building, loacted at 2222 Ludington Street. They tried to go into the building, but couldn’t, because the floor had collapsed. They battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control, with the help of an excavator. There were no injuries reported.
Escanaba Public Safety says the cause of the fire is undetermined and is still under investigation.
The Stonehouse has been owned by the Romps family since 1982, making it one of the oldest and most iconic restaurants/bars in Escanaba. The business owners took to social media Satrurday afternoon in the wake of the devastating fire.
“Our hearts are filled with sadness, but also profound gratitude for the outpouring of community support we’ve received,” the post said. “Your kindness is deeply appreciated as we navigate the devastating loss of our multi-generational family business.”
Within hours of the word of the fire spread through the community, efforts to help the Romps family and the employees of the restaurant began. A GoFundMe page was set up, and on Monday, an account will be established at Bay Bank, specifically to help the employees who now will be out of a job just days before Christmas.
In Rapid River Saturday night, the “Lights in the Park” event shifted gears and used it as a fundraiser to help the employees of the Stonehouse. The Escanaba Eagles Club says that its charity breakfast on Sunday, December 29, will now be used to raise money for those employees. The Great North Auto Wash says that ten percent of its sales for the next three days, through Christmas Eve, will also be used for that purpose.
Virtuallly every other locally-owned restaurant posted Facebook messages Saturday offering their sadness, and in some cases, offering financial support. A competitor, Drifers Restaurant, plans to have a donation bucket at its restaurant with “proceeds going to those directly impacted” by the fire.
Escanaba Downtown Development Authority Director Craig Woerpel also expressed shock at the news, noting that it is the second major fire within the DDA district this year. Back in January, three buildings, including one that he owned, were destroyed by fire along Ludington Street. One person died in that fire.
“People for generations have made memories at the Stonehouse,” Woerpel wrote. “John and Starr (Romps) have been a part of that since 1982. Our hearts go out to them, their sons, and their employees.”
Many current and former customers also took to social media on Saturday to share their personal memories of their visits to the Stonehouse, often for special occasions like high school prom and Homecoming, and family reunions and weddings.
The CEO of Invest UP, Escanaba native Marty Fittante, told RRN News in a Saturday afternoon interview that this news is a shock to the business community.
“My heart aches for the Romps family,” Fittante said. “It’s the cornerstone, literally, of Escanaba. Absolutely an iconic business in not only Escanaba, but really, the entire Upper Peninsula. As I woke to that news this morning, I received text threads from folks in a number of different communities, expressing the sorrow to see that building burned, because it has meant so much to so many.”
Fittante says that his agency does not have specific programs to help financially in this kind of situation, but may be able to help indirectly.
“Certainly, we’ve got the ability to open some doors, should there be some barriers, if they seek to rebuild,” Fittante said. “I’m sure that will be the community, and region-wide, sentiment, for them to do so. Part of my conversation this morning was with the U.P. (legislative) delegation, and they, too, expressed their sorrow and sadness for the Romps family.”
Escanaba Public Safety was on the scene for more than six hours Saturday. They had help from the Ford River Township and Escanaba Township fire departments. The Michigan State Police and Delta County Sheriff’s Department directed traffic at that intersection of two state highways, one of the busiest in the Upper Peninsula.
There were also thanks given to the nearby Krist Gas Station, as well as Circle K (Holiday) Gas Station, the Gladstone Deli, and Elmer’s County Market, for giving firefighters drinks as they battled the blaze. The American Red Cross was also helpful, according to Public Safety.
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