That huge fire that hit Main St. in December did more than physical damage, it also hurt existing businesses that survived the fire itself.
Roger Gergi is the owner of The Cedar Tree Lebanese Restaurant that narrowly missed being destroyed in the blaze, thanks to the quick action of firefighters.
See: 'Suspicious' blaze sends firefighter to hospital with frostbite
He says the fire has hurt his business as the perception is that his restaurant is closed from fire damage.
Gergi recalls getting a call at 1 a.m. from a tenant saying a fire was destroying the part of Main St. where his restaurant was located.
"There was nothing I could do but it's hard to sleep knowing the fire was so close to my business."
He left the scene around 5, but quickly returned at 7 after learning the fire had got worse.
"It was moving towards our building."
Late next morning the fire department allowed Gergi to inspect his building.
"We did a walk-through with the fire department and thankfully there was no damage whatsoever. No water damage, no smoke damage."
But it did damage in a way Gergi didn't expect.
"People are unaware that we are open because the fire was so close to us and it was reported that the fire was at the Cedar Tree building. Also, we were closed for two weeks right after the fire but the closing was scheduled for holidays. It had nothing to do with the fire but people were assuming we were shut down due to the fire."
The restaurant has been getting a lot of calls asking if it is open.
Gergi is hoping once people realize The Ceder Tree is open, his business will rebound.
