Community Rallies Around Flooded Old Saybrook Restaurant

OLD SAYBROOK, CT — More than $33,000 has been raised to support Luigi's restaurant, which suffered major damage due to a water leak. The leak occurred Christmas day on the restaurant's upper level and traveled through the dining rooms and into the basement, causing extensive damage, according to a Facebook post from the restaurant.

The restaurant will be closed for the foreseeable future. The restaurant's owners are working with the insurance company, a contractor, and a restoration company to "make the restaurant operational as soon as possible."

"Please keep our staff and family in your prayers through this difficult time during the holidays," the owners wrote on Facebook. "We so appreciate your business and the support that we receive from the community."

The post garnered 462 reactions and 124 comments. One user wrote: "So sorry for your loss. I hope you can get back to doing what you do best. Serving your clients your great food made with loving care. One of my old stomping grounds back in the days."

Owner Len DiBella went to the restaurant after receiving a call Christmas morning to check out the damage, according to WTNH News-8. He said it was "like an indoor monsoon...Just water cascading everywhere."

DiBella's grandfather started the restaurant in 1956, which is housed in a 19th-century building.

Kiki Filindarakis started a GoFundMe page to support the restaurant's staff. So far, more than 300 donors have contributed to the cause.

"The whole Luigi DiBella family have watched our children grow up, served us meals throughout the pandemic, and been a staple in the community through hard times," the GoFundMe page reads. "This fundraiser was organized in hopes of relieving some stress to support the Luigi’s staff while dealing with repairing a local favorite. With such a tight knit community, coming together makes beautiful things happen."

DiBella said that the community response to the catastrophe has been "staggering," WTNH News-8 reported.

To donate to Luigi's Restaurant, go to GoFundMe.

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