GoFundMe Started To Support Fred's Restaurant After Fire

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY – A fire tore through Fred's Restaurant Tuesday night, just days after the restaurant announced it would be temporarily closing to give employees a break from the nonstop work during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a message posted to a GoFundMe page by owners Dave Honor and Kimberly Evans, the fire damaged the main dining room, but spared the kitchen. Most importantly, there were no injuries in the fire.

According to the FDNY incident report, the call came in at 10:52 p.m. Tuesday to 202 W. 83 Street and Amsterdam Ave. 12 units and 60 firefighters responded. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

The restaurant is now appealing to the community for their financial support to rebuild so they can reopen quickly. The restaurant has set a fundraising goal of $50,000.

"As the world around us faces it own unique challenges due to the #Covid19 #pandemic, we are committed to reviving and rebuilding our wonderful #nycrestaurant for generations to enjoy," Evans said in the post.

The restaurant had announced on Instagram that as of Monday, April 6 it would be closing for about a week in order to give the staff a break.

"For the past three weeks, the staff have been amazing, and they, they need a rest, as does 'Delivery Dave,'" Honor said in the video.

In a note on the restaurant's website, it was noted the restaurant will be taking a brief "paws" and patrons can check Facebook or Instagram for updates. Fred's Restaurant is named after a black Labrador retriever who was bred by Guiding Eyes for the Blind in New York. Fred did not have the aptitude for the visual work, and was released after training and found a home in the Upper West Side.

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