Restaurant owner vows to reopen after devastating fire

"We are working hard with the insurance companies and investigators and as soon as we receive new information, we will let you know,"  Margot Blondet, the owner of

Salar Restaurant and Lounge at 400 E. Fifth St., said in a press release. "These things take time, but rest assured that we absolutely plan on re-opening as soon as possible."

>> Salar owner after fire: ‘My heart is broken for my people’

Salar and a half dozen other nearby businesses received major smoke damage when fire broke out at in Salar Restaurant and Lounge, 400 E. Fifth St., early Friday, Dec. 29.

Investigators said last week that the fire started in Salar’s kitchen.

Other impacted businesses include Hicks Barber Shop & Shave Parlor, Spice Paradise, Addison Home Health Services, The Scenery and Canary Consulting.

About 35 people worked at Salar. Several efforts are underway to supported impacted businesses owners and employees.

"We are so proud to be a part of such an extremely supportive community and just want to thank everyone for the incredible kindness that has been shown to us," Meg Shaw, general manager of Salar, said.

“We were so ready and excited for New Year’s weekend and are very sorry for all of our customers who had reservations, but we will re-open and come back even stronger.”

The restaurant had about 350 reservations for New Year’s Eve weekend.

HOW TO HELP 

— A bingo fundraiser is planned from 7 to 10 p.m. Jan. 8 at Blind Bob's, 430 E. Fifth St., to support employees out of work due to the fire. 

— An ongoing GoFundMe fundraiser has collected more than $6,000.

— Dayton artist Mike Elsass is organizing a "fire sale" of works that had been been up for sale as part of Front Street Experience, a showcase in Spice Paradise. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to support Salar employees left out of work due to the blaze.

>> Proceeds from art ‘fire sale’ to support those impacted by Oregon District fire

Works from Elsass, artists Darren Haper, Tony Lee, Janet Garlikov and others will be sold for 20 to 80 percent off starting Friday, Jan. 5 at Front Street, 1001 E. Second St.