Wednesday, April 30, 2008 5:33 PM CDT
Lexington tavern back in business, but work on kitchen continues
LEXINGTON -- Kemp's Upper Tap is back in business again after a fire destroyed most of the kitchen and caused smoke damage in the bar area, owner John Kemp said Wednesday.
The tavern reopened Saturday to a packed crowd, he said. But Upper Tap, 217 W. Main St., will be alcohol-only until around Thursday of next week, Kemp said, as repair work on the kitchen area isn't yet complete after the April 21 fire.
Full food service will return after crews finish fabricating a new exhaust hood and another grill is in place, said Kemp, who added he's been happy with the help he's gotten from contractors, volunteer friends and his insurance company.
Conrad Sheet Metal of Bloomington is fabricating the metal for the hood, Kemp said.
Kemp is still adding up the monetary damage of the fire, taking into account the days the tavern was closed and the cost of renovation, so no dollar amount was available, he said.
Thick smoke came from the building around midnight April 21 and flames escaped from the old exhaust hood during the blaze. The bar had closed at 10:15 p.m. and Kemp told fire officials he shut off the grill around 9 p.m.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, Kemp said. A message left with the state fire marshal's office was not immediately returned Wednesday.
The tavern reopened Saturday to a packed crowd, he said. But Upper Tap, 217 W. Main St., will be alcohol-only until around Thursday of next week, Kemp said, as repair work on the kitchen area isn't yet complete after the April 21 fire.
Full food service will return after crews finish fabricating a new exhaust hood and another grill is in place, said Kemp, who added he's been happy with the help he's gotten from contractors, volunteer friends and his insurance company.
Conrad Sheet Metal of Bloomington is fabricating the metal for the hood, Kemp said.
Kemp is still adding up the monetary damage of the fire, taking into account the days the tavern was closed and the cost of renovation, so no dollar amount was available, he said.
Thick smoke came from the building around midnight April 21 and flames escaped from the old exhaust hood during the blaze. The bar had closed at 10:15 p.m. and Kemp told fire officials he shut off the grill around 9 p.m.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, Kemp said. A message left with the state fire marshal's office was not immediately returned Wednesday.
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