DETROIT – The Checker Bar in downtown Detroit temporarily closed after a fire broke out overnight.
According to the owner, Timothy Tharp, it’s the result of a utility fire that backed electrically into the building, causing a fire on the electrical panel in the basement.
Dozens of employees are not out of a job at the worst time possible.
“Yeah, it’s devastating, especially knowing that, you know, we all depend on the checker bar for our employment, you know, and you know, the Lions doing so well, the auto show returning to January, it’s a really hard time for this to happen, you know.
You know, 40 some employees that are going to be out of work for a little while. So, luckily, we are insured. We will be rebuilding, you know, the fire was significant, but not highly structural, you know, so a lot of smoke and water damage. But you know, we hope to, you know, we hope to be back open this winter.”
Timothy Tharp
Drew Wine-Sec is one Detroiter who is disappointed he can’t go to his favorite bar because of a fire that broke out early Tuesday morning.
“I mean, it’s like our go-to spot before games, especially like my friends working at Rocket Mortgage,” said Wine-Sec.
For Timothy - it hits way harder. go-to
“It’s a kick. You know, it’s a kick to the gut,” Tharp said.
The silver lining is the fact that the bar was Insured and Will be rebuilding with hopes of being back up and running something this winter.
“Good news is, is that no one was hurt, and you know, the checker bar is still standing. it was a relief to know that it wasn’t, you know, an employee error or me doing something,” Timothy insisted.
The concern and support coming from many Detroiters have been staggering.
“the phones, you know, of all the staff, have been ringing off the hook. We’re Detroiters. We got the grit. We’ll piece it back together and go on,” Timothy concluded.
To help the employees of the Checker Bar who are now out of a job, click the link here.