<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2qBtwK_1Gp08h6G00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2qBtwK_1Gp08h6G00" width="800" height="1200" ></figure>Eight months after a February fire in downtown Easton forced several businesses to close, State Cafe and Grill reopened its doors on Oct. 29.Owner Bill Sneeringer said the water used to extinguish the fire flooded the building’s basement, destroying much of State Cafe’s inventory and equipment.“We had six feet of water that basically destroyed everything,” Sneeringer said, noting the water damaged electrical service, a walk-in cooler, food stock, water heaters, alarm and camera systems and Wi-Fi equipment.He said the restaurant experienced difficulties working around contractors’ schedules after the fire due to the last-minute nature of their requests.Employees received financial support for the first three months before filing for unemployment benefits, according to Sneeringer. Of State Cafe’s roughly 15 employees at the time of the fire, four of five left to find other jobs during the closure.“We thought we would be open at the five-month mark or the four-month mark,” Sneeringer said. “And when we got to those marks, people were just like, ‘I’m going to go start looking for another job.’”The restaurant then had to prepare for rebuilding its staff ahead of its soft opening, which occurred the week before its official reopening.“Nobody had been making the food for eight months, so it was a matter of getting our footing again before we could get started,” Sneeringer said.Sneeringer credited the restaurant’s chef, who was working at the cafe prior to the fire, with helping train the new kitchen staff and prepare for the restaurant’s return.Sneeringer also credited financial assistance from the community with helping State Cafe and other businesses affected by the fire. A GoFundMe created by several Easton community members raised $6,640 for businesses.Julie VanOsdol, the executive director of the Easton Main Street Initiative, said the organization helped plan a block party to encourage people to visit downtown and fundraising efforts that culminated in $1,000 grants for every business affected by the fire.“$1,000 doesn’t go a super long way, especially when you have staff you’re trying to keep,” VanOsdol said. “But I think it was extremely meaningful just to be like, ‘hey, this community is still thinking about you.’”“We didn’t forget about you, and we want to do whatever we can to make sure that you reopen,” she added.The restaurant has received an enthusiastic community response since its reopening, according to Sneeringer.“We’ve gotten so much support from our regular clientele as well as new people,” Sneeringer said.“The State Cafe is a really important part of our identity,” VanOsdol said. “If you were making a mural or something of all the spots in downtown Easton, you would include the little neon sign from State Cafe.”Makenna McCall ‘27 contributed reporting.</div></body>

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Eight months after a February fire in downtown Easton forced several businesses to close, State Cafe and Grill reopened its doors on Oct. 29. Owner Bill Sneeringer said the water used to extinguish the fire flooded the building’s basement, destroying much of State Cafe’s inventory and equipment. “We...

Downtown cafe reopens 8 months after Easton fire

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Eight months after a February fire in downtown Easton forced several businesses to close, State Cafe and Grill reopened its doors on Oct. 29. Owner Bill Sn

Downtown cafe reopens 8 months after Easton fire

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