Rustic Grille Will Be Back ... Somewhere

An early morning fire set to the back of the shopping center at 494 Main Street forced the Rustic Grille to close its doors on Aug. 8. Since then, John Kantzas, who owns the restaurant with his wife Sandy, says they have been dealing with their insurance company and building issues.

The damage to the back of the building means the shopping center lost its grandfathered status, which allowed it to have a flat roof.

"The whole building has to be up to code now," John Kantzas said Monday. "It can't be a flat roof anymore. It has to be pitched."

This will require extensive work to the building, according to Kantzas, who said the entire back end will have to be knocked down and the wires, pipes and gas lines will have to be relocated.

Kantzas has considered moving into Clock Tower Square across the street, but his lease has yet to expire. He said his landlord wants to work things out to keep him at 494 Main Street, where his restaurant is an anchor for the other businesses there.

If the Rustic Grille is not back in its building by Dec. 10, Kantzas said his lease automatically terminates.

Kantzas said he has worked with the town's Engineering Department and is now working with the Trumbull Monroe Health District.

"Every day looks more grim," he said of meeting the approaching deadline.

Rustic Grille's loyal patrons who wonder why they have not seen work being done to the building since the fire, Kantzas said, "It's not because John and Sandy don't want to reopen the restaurant. It's the process that has to be worked through."

Arson Investigation Continues

A plastic chair and a large bin up against the prep area behind the Rustic Grille burst into flames when a fire was lit inside the trash can in the wee hours of Monday, Aug. 8, and the fire burned right up to the eaves.

In front of the shopping center at 494 Main Street, Fire Marshal Bill Davin said the window for Frank's Barber Stylists, which is in the same building as Rustic Grille, was broken and evidence led investigators to believe there was attempted arson there too.

Heading south on Main Street, Matt & Louie's Barber Shop, run by Matt Ramadani and Louie Roci, both of whom used to work at Franks', was also hit. The window of the front door was broken and someone tried to light up the metal blinds.

A metal bin toward the roof behind the building had fire damage, as well as the back door, where Ramadani and Roci said someone piled cardboard and set it on fire. Luckily for the barber shop, the door was fire resistant and the business was open the next morning.

The investigation is still underway and a $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist(s). Those with information should call the Connecticut Arson Hotline at 1-800-84ARSON.