Former Vermette's Building Collapses

The newest addition to a string of roof collapses in Woonsocket is a city landmark dating back to the 1930's: the building which once held Vermette's Restaurant on Diamond Hill Road.

No one was injured in the collapse when the center of the roof on the left portion of the building gave way under heavy rain and snow late this morning. Police were called to the scene around 10:30 a.m. and were tasked with the substantial feat of controlling traffic at the busy intersection around the building.

"This is probably the worst intersection in the city for traffic control when things go bad," said Officer Gormley. The building, owned by Joe Gaspar, has been vacant since the restaurant closed six years ago and has been for sale for some time.  

The restaurant was founded in 1937 by Alice Germaine Handfield and Joseph Alfred Vermette, and many claim it produced the original recipe for "dynamite," a dish of ground beef, peppers and onions unique to Woonsocket. The sandwich, served on a torpedo roll, cost 10 cents at Vermette's back in the late 1930's.

"I've been here for many weddings," said Acting Highway Superintendent Richard Lambert.

Gaspar also owns the and was at the scene Sunday morning accessing the damage. "I'll be back and forth here all day," Gaspar told the crew of police officers, demolition personnel and pubic safety officials at the scene. "I'm just right down the street," he said pointing towards the Bocce Club, which he was off to manage.

Building Official Chris Chianese ordered the one-story left portion of the building to be demolished, and said a structural engineer would be required to access the safety of the rest of the property. "The two story structure appears independent of the collapse," Chianese said.

Gladu Wrecking was scheduled to start securing the building and preparing the area for demolition immediately. "They want us to remove the snow and they want at least this part of the building taken down," said David Gladu.

"I'm not going to risk public safety for someone else's financial considerations," Chianese said.