Pocono News Section

Fire-Damaged Nightclub Reopens

Fire-Damaged Nightclub Reopens - Friday, July 18, 2008 at 5:40PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Friday, Jul 18, 2008 @ 05:40pm EST
SHENANDOAH, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY --A Schuylkill County nightclub will re-open Friday night. Nearly 8 months after fire damaged the place. Eyewitness News reporter Jeff Chirico tells us what went in to getting it back in business.

With just hours until it's grand re-opening, volunteers put the finishing touches on Thunder Road Bar.

On Black Friday, the Shenandoah nightclub was damaged when a thrift shop next door caught fire. Thunder Road had only been open for four months. "It pretty much took our roof and when the roof caved in, it took everything inside."

Andrea Babarsky says the place wasn't insured.

Andrea Babarsky/owner "So it was fundraisers. Family, friends helping out my husband working a lot of hours overtime."

People pitched in to rebuild the roof. Inside, almost everything's been replaced --including the booths, the bar, and tables.

"The pool table was completely destroyed. The only thing that wasn't damaged was this plastic rack."

Andrea's daughters and niece frame photos of the disaster to show customers how far they've come.

Meanwhile, Andrea looks forward to serving the folks of Shenandoah once again. “We want to be able to bring entertainment in and let people walk home. They don't have to drink and drive." A burned-out business now re-opening it's doors as a real hot spot.

Andrea says the state police fire marshal has still not ruled on what caused the fire.