Island Park's Jordan Lobster Farms reopening after fire
Jordan Lobster Farms plans to reopen this week in Island Park. Credit: Newsday/James Carbone
South Shore seafood staple Jordan Lobster Farms has announced plans to reopen Wednesday after a devastating fire during a weekend dinner rush this month.
The 51-year-old restaurant in Island Park has been closed since June 13, when a fire broke out at 6:48 p.m., causing extensive damage to the roof and an office, forcing customers to evacuate. No one was injured.
The team has been working around the clock to get the restaurant fixed up, owner Steve Jordan said.
"We've got electricians, carpenters, cleaners, plumbers," Jordan said during a phone call Monday morning before hopping off to talk to another worker. "The whole place had to be cleaned with the smoke and the smell. We had guys just cleaning day and night ... every day."
An Instagram post stated: "The fire tested us in ways we never imagined, but it also reminded us how fortunate we are to be part of such an amazing community."
A warm lobster roll at Jordan Lobster Farms in Island Park. Credit: Randee Daddona
Jordan wasn't ready to disclose how much the whole recovery endeavor would cost.
The restaurant raised $20,000 in a GoFundMe campaign that he said is going to the 50 to 60 employees who work there from about 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. He also hopes to use the insurance payout to give back to his staff.
"They're great, they're unbelievable," he said. "They come in here, they want to help. They say, 'You don't even have to pay me, just let me help.' They want to get open again so they can go back to work, thank God."
Jordan Lobster Farms, on Newsday's list of Best Lobster Rolls, plans to reopen for its regular business hours Wednesday, starting at 10 a.m.
Andi Berlin is from Arizona and does not know where she is going. But when she gets there, she’ll find something beautiful and delicious that the world needs to taste.
