Cafe Devastated by Fire from Neighboring Business, Owner Vows to Rebuild
Morningside Cafe is a labor of love for owner Jeff Lewis. He’s spent the last 4 years working hard to make it a reality. It's been a slow process, no doubt, but it’s been steady progress.
What started as an idea, and then a series of neighborhood pop-ups, turned into a physical location at 16369 East Warren (between Courville and Audubon).
As a neighbor down the street, it’s been exciting to see the project come to life firsthand. First, the business plan and interior renderings. Then the logo and website. At some point, the windows received vinyl signage to hype the opening. And of course the installation of the outdoor sign! Jeff is methodical about the details and has invested everything he has into the business.
He was right at the finish line.
And then tragedy struck.
On Tuesday, January 4th, a neighboring business, Stiletto Shoetique, caught on fire. Jeff was inside the cafe with his contractor when it happened. He called 911. The fire department responded quickly and did everything they could do. But it was too late.
The electrical. The drywall. The HVAC system. The espresso machine, the coffee brewer. The furniture that had just been delivered the day before (no joke). All of it was severely damaged by fire, smoke, and water.
It’s a tremendous gut-punch. It’s heart-breaking. And yet, Jeff vows to rebuild.
I asked him, given the setback, what makes him want to continue? What makes him push forward with the rebuild?
“Walk away? It’s just something I can’t do. This is home.”
Jeff is committed to this community. He is committed to Morningside Cafe. No matter what happens.
