Westover, W.Va. — Sounding exhausted but not defeated the co-owner of a landmark Westover restaurant expects to rebuild.
“It’s a pretty devastating site at the moment. There’s a lot of equipment and damage to the building,” described Anthony Colasante of Colasante’s Ristorante and Pub. “We’re at the mercy of the insurance company right now and their adjusters. Whenever we agree to terms, then we’ll begin the process.”
Those insurance adjusters were sifting through what is left of the 47-year-old eatery Monday.
Their visit follows two days of investigation by the state fire marshal’s department to determine what caused the April 23 blaze that badly damaged the restaurant, an office and an apartment.
Colasante said it was a relief to learn the fire was not intentionally set. “They still don’t know if was lightning or electrical. It was kind of coincidental that the storms were going on. They were happy with findings or results. They left it open as electrical.”
The overnight fire displaced tenants in a second floor apartment. According to Colasante, the offers for help started pouring in not long after the fire was extinguished.
“The support they got from the community, it’s unrepayable.”
And the same goes for the outreach the Colasantes are experiencing.
“The calls, the stop-bys, the volunteering for any type of help in the future and near future, it’s been something, really,” Colasante shared.
Once known as Westover Pizza, Colasante’s facade will be different when the family business reopens to loyal customers.
“Unfortunately there is no way it could be the same. It’ll be a new look with the same feel, if you will,” predicted Colasante. “That’s what we’re hoping.”
The West Virginia Department of Commerce voted Colasante’s Ristorante and Pub one of the “101 Unique Places to Dine”.