02/23/2018
Dear Friends,
We are sad to share we will be temporarily closed for up to two months due to the fire in Old City. But do not fear, the Lion will roar again!
While the fire itself was in the neighboring buildings, The Little Lion is greatly affected as we share a common wall and various elements of the building with the buildings that contained the fire.
As of this week, The Little Lion will be temporarily closed for an estimate of at least two months. We have not been formally allowed inside the restaurant to access the damage, begin drying out and making repairs. The last information we have is that the buildings near us are also still in a collapse zone.
We had hoped to have more information by the end of the week, but as of now we don't have more information to offer and we hope to gain access next week. What we do know is that there is significant water damage to at least one if not both of the kitchens, the mezzanine and the basement level. We sustained major water damage to the back half and lower levels of the building - but the final look at damage will happen in the coming days. City and fire officials are focused on the safety and stability of the neighboring properties at the moment, and during that period we are waiting patiently. Again, we do not have more information and hope to have more updates to share next week.
While we are temporarily closed, we want to take good care of our amazing Little Lion family and staff. We have over 80 employees and we are seeking temporary placements for them at fellow restaurants, bars and other businesses. We have had a number of generous offers and other restaurant leaders are stepping up to help - and we are working day and night to work with them to help our team.
We are thankful to everyone involved in the fire from the fire department, the American Red Cross, city officials, Red Paws and all other agencies involved.
This is definitely not the end of our story - we will be back and be better than ever. We will simply be hibernating for a period of time while we access and make repairs and fix our historic space. We poured our heart and soul into bringing new life to this corner of 3rd and Chestnut - and we have been honored to host thousands each week for dinner, drinks, brunch, anniversary parties, receptions, weddings. We have been so fortunate to share so many memories with our patrons and guests - and we look forward to hosting those occasions in the near future. We aim to try to open in time for Mother's Day and late spring wedding season, but once we are inside we can give a better sense of timing.
Please save the date for Sunday March 4th from 1-5pm as we will host a Old City Fire Relief Benefit for The Little Lion employees while they are out of work - we will announce details on Monday. We will also support Red Paws during that event as this fire affected so many companion animals, a cause important to our owners' and team members' hearts.
We will need donations, auction prizes and other support - please stay tuned.
For anyone with temporary positions or wants to help offer our team jobs, please contact me direct at [email protected] or 267-971-9341.
Our hearts go out to the numerous neighbors, tenants and visitors that were displaced, as well as to the owners of the pets that lost their lives.
Thank you for all the well wishes, calls and emails. We can’t even begin to thank you enough for your continued support!
Best,
Chris Younge and Jason Dills,
Owners, The Little Lion
