We met Dawn Welch, owner of the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla., on Sunday to check the progress of the rebuilding of her historic Route 66 restaurant after a fire gutted it in May.
Sharp-eyed observers might see recent subtle differences from the outside since the fire:
But it’s in the interior where progress is obvious:
Welch said work started about 10 days ago to begin rebuilding the Rock Cafe from the inside out. First, the interior walls are being erected to help stabilize the restaurant’s distinctive rock structure.
After that, the shoring up of the still-standing rock walls and rebuilding of the walls’ uppermost portions will begin. A historical architect is overseeing the entire effort.
Welch says the layout of the rebuilt Rock Cafe will be slightly different. The kitchen will be in what is currently an adjacent storeroom, which was unscathed by the fire. Also, updated and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms will be built in the storeroom. This will create more space for the current dining area.
Can’t wait to sample the food when she’s done.