A fire heavily damaged Street’s Restaurant, a decades-old landmark on Highway 59 in Bay Minette, Saturday morning, leaving the community reeling but resulting in no injuries.
Crews responded to the restaurant at about 11:15 a.m. Owner Eugene Overstreet said the fire started in the kitchen and spread quickly through the building. Fire officials said no one was hurt.
Smoke poured from the decades-old structure as neighbors and longtime customers gathered along the perimeter, many embracing in tears as they watched a restaurant central to daily life in Bay Minette go up in flames.
“People who are adults with children have come here when they were smaller. The food is home-cooked. You’re not going to go to a restaurant in Bay Minette (and) find food, and then find people who work here that appreciate you as a person and not just as a customer,” said employee Jessenia Jones, wiping away tears. “I’m so used to everybody being here. And I don’t know, like, when am I going to see everybody ever again? This is like my second home, these are my best friends.”
Employee Melissa Crabtree said the restaurant had long functioned as a gathering place for the same regulars, day after day. “It’s a landmark because so many people gather here every day, the same people, and they visit and they eat. And it’s like a big family here. And Eugene (Overstreet) is one of the best people you could ever hope to work for,” she said.
Overstreet tried to keep his spirits up as he took stock of the damage to the building he has owned for years. “I needed a new roof on it, so I guess I’ll get a new roof. A whole new building,” he said.
In a note posted to the restaurant’s social media page Saturday afternoon, Overstreet thanked customers who had reached out since the fire. “I thank the good Lord every day for my customers. It’s been a great business, and we are contented,” he said.
Despite the extensive damage, Overstreet said he is optimistic the restaurant can be rebuilt. In the meantime, he is encouraging the roughly 30 Street’s employees affected by the closure to apply for work at Stagecoach Cafe, which is owned by a relative, while the restaurant is out of commission.
By Saturday evening, a GoFundMe page had been set up, according to a post on Street’s Restaurant’s social media page, to help support employees affected by the fire.
The exact cause of the fire had not been officially confirmed as of Saturday evening.