DALLAS - Business owners are moving forward and making plans for St. Patrick's Day after a fire destroyed four restaurants and bars on Lower Greenville.
The owner of Terilli's Restaurant and Bar, which was among those destroyed in the massive blaze, saw first-hand what was left of her business for the first time Friday. Prior to her visit, she had only seen the destruction on television and pictures.
Seeing it on TV and watching it burn, I can't tell you the emotions, she Jeannie Terilli. We will go forward. The memories are still there and we are going to recreate those and make it even better for everyone.
The fire destroyed Terilli's, Mick's Bar, the Greenville Bar & Grill and the Hurricane Grill, all located in the 2800 block of Greenville Avenue.
While Terilli said she considered not rebuilding, she said that was a brief thought and plans to rebuild on the same site.
Holding back tears and choking up, Terilli viewed the damage only for a short time before leaving as her emotions overcame her. Investigators said the fire began in a wall in common hallway shared by her restaurant and Mick's Bar.
Terilli said the landlord does intend to save the historic facade of the 1930s building.
She said while her insurance will cover most of her employees' salaries, she said it will not cover the servers' pay.
Several benefits have planned Friday night and through the weekend to help the dozens of workers who found themselves jobless after the fire.
E-mail: jbetz@wfaa.com
