Tackle Box May Reopen in Two Months, Hook Remains Closed for at Least Four Months More

and , two M Street restaurants involved in , are still recovering from the incident and neither business will open before summer is out. Loyal customers still have months of waiting ahead of them.

"We are expecting Tackle Box to reopen in two to three months, although nothing is certain" said owner Jonathan Umbel in an email.

"Unfortunately, Hook will not reopen anytime within the next four to five months, minimum," he added.

The fire broke out just after 12:30 p.m. on June 29 in the rear of Hook. Heavy smoke was visible on M Street, but the bulk of the fire was contained in the back, according to D.C. Fire and EMS Spokesman Pete Piringer at the time.

The majority of the fire was out approximately 10 to 15 minutes after fire crews arrived on the scene and about 100 firefighters were on the scene at the height of the emergency, Piringer told Patch in June.

The windows on the second story of Hook are now covered partially in plywood and workers could be seen moving around inside Tuesday.

Umbel said the activity Tuesday was workers removing the furniture and decor of Hook for professional cleaning and restoration.

The smoke damage was worse than expected, said the owner.

"Right now, Hook has no pastry kitchen, dish area or restrooms on the first floor. The entire basement has to be rebuilt as the water damage infiltrated everything in the walls with mold, etc." he said in an email.

Umbel did not provide an update on the total cost of the damage. On the day of the fire, D.C. Fire and EMS initial estimated that the damage was at least between $50,000 and $100,000 plus contents and collateral.

On the day of the fire, Umbel released a statement reminding customers that "Tackle Box's Cleveland Park location will be open for business and we ask our fans to support our brand so that we may be back on our feet in Georgetown soon."