NEWTOWN – jjStacks owner Joe Attonito vows to rebuild the restaurant as the community gets behind him following Sunday’s early morning electrical fire that destroyed the restaurant only about six months after it opened. There were no injuries.
The restaurant, which opened the new location at 71 S. Main St. in February, had previously operated a location at 537 Federal Road in Brookfield that closed in December.
In several Facebook posts Attonito said he the restaurant would “rise like a phoenix from the ashes.”
“I’ll say – we will be back,” he wrote. “I’ll say we will do everything we can to keep our staff.
I’ll say thank you all so, so much. Watching it all covered in black – water pouring through, ceilings collapsed. None of it hit me – but the support – all the people reaching out to me – all the messages and posts. I am amazed at the support.”
That support has shown up on social media as Linds Paige of the Newtown Eats Facebook group sought donations for the rebuilding effort.
“As most of you know, jjStacks suffered a devastating electrical fire this past week, leaving the restaurant with extensive damage,” she wrote. “They now face the heartbreaking task of rebuilding the business they have poured their hearts, blood, sweat, and tears into. It will be a long road, and as many of you have already recognized, it will also bring significant financial challenges.
“So many people have reached out asking how they can help, and they are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support.
“With Joe’s blessing, I’ve taken the lead on organizing a community fundraising event, and planning officially begins tomorrow (Monday, Aug. 3). We’re planning an all-day event for later this month (date to be announced) with family-friendly activities during the day, followed by an adults-only evening celebration.”
Newtown Eats is seeking donations from local businesses that it can raffle and include in a silent auction.
“If you’re willing to donate a gift certificate, service, experience, basket, or item, it would make a tremendous difference,” Paige wrote.
Newtown’s fire departments were able to knock down the fire shortly after the call went out at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, according to Newtown Hook & Ladder. “This morning (Sunday) Newtown Communications dispatched an all-tone assignment to all 5 Newtown Fire Departments for a reported structure fire at 71 S. Main Street after multiple callers reported seeing smoke coming from the building.
“Engine 111, Engine 1, and Ladder 114 from Newtown Hook & Ladder responded. The first-arriving officer confirmed a working fire. Crews immediately went to work, placing ground ladders to the roof, deploying 114 ladders to the roof, stretching handlines, and initiating an aggressive fire attack while additional companies searched for fire extension throughout the building. The fire was quickly knocked down, preventing further spread through the strip mall, which is home to multiple businesses including restaurants, a dance studio, a nail salon, and other local establishments.”
Attonito was quite appreciative of the volunteer fire department’s efforts.
“We cannot thank the Newtown Fire Department enough,” he wrote on Facebook. “They showed up in full force, brought it under control, and helped save the other businesses on the block.”
If you’d like to donate or help in any way, Linds Paige asks that you DM her or text her directly at (203) 559-6769.
