Bar reopens following blaze with fiery name
New Plymouth bar Our Place reopened last night with many changes after being closed for four months due to fire damage.
The popular establishment was forced to shut its doors after a blaze tore through neighbouring restaurant Cafe Istanbul in July.
The bar, which is separated from the eatery with an alleyway, suffered severe smoke and heat damage and has since undergone a complete refurbishment.
Owners Russel Laird and Mark Louis said after months of setbacks and toil they were relieved to finally be reopening.
‘‘I’m stoked...I just want to get open,’’ Louis said.
‘‘Last night we had family come in, and to see it operate again as a bar and restaurant again was awesome,’’ Laird said.
‘‘And it’s exciting with the new changes we’ve made.’’
The business was anew with life and colour - a huge contrast to the charred walls, damp furniture and stale smoke once lingering about.
Having been decked out with new furnishings and blanketed with vibrant Mexican motifs, the restaurant and bar has not only taken on a fresh look but also a new name.
Embracing the recent event, the men have rebranded as El Fuego Mexican Restaurant at Our Place, which translates to ‘‘the fire at Our Place.’’
‘‘It’s kind of a lighthearted approach to a s..... situation,’’ Laird said.
Prior to the fire the men had been toying with ideas to revamp the business and move on from ‘‘old gastro’’ pub food.
They wanted to find their own niche in the food business and Mexican had always been on the cards, Laird said.
‘‘The only Mexican I know of in town is takeaway but nowhere you can sit down and have a beer.
‘‘Then the fire just kind of forced our hand to make the changes.’’
While having been closed for such a time, the pair were concerned they may have lost momentum with their clientele.
‘‘It’s still really worrying me,’’ Louis said.
‘‘Deep down you think ‘it will be OK’ and people are saying that but until it happens it’s anyone’s guess.’’
‘‘Four months is a long time for people to go and create a habit somewhere else,’’ Laird said.
To celebrate the reopening and draw back their punters, the men were hosting an opening party from 5pm last night. Entertainment included band Tobetones from 9pm and DJ Kritikal from 11pm.