BUFFALO, NY - It's an eastside landmark that was destroyed by flames last November. Gigi's Restaurant hopes to re-open in June or July.
"Any and everybody who knows anything about Gigi's, it's a setback, it's been a setback, but it's an opportunity for us to go forward. It looks a lot worse than what it is, but we're in the rebuild phase right now and we're going to get moving on it," said Darryl Harvin, the owner's son.
The owner's son says the blaze was started by grease on an open fire, something the Buffalo Fire Department categorizes as mechanical.
Early estimates put the rebuild cost around $450,000, which includes money to restore and replace equipment inside the popular East Ferry Avenue restaurant.
For the first time, the owner's son took 2 On Your Side's Claudine Ewing inside to see the remnants of the devastating fire. Everything is scorched, the counters are now ripped out and you can only recognize the kitchen area by some of the charred equipment.
Some awards were destroyed including plaques from Artvoice. Harvin hopes they can be replaced.
He said progress was slowed down due to a change in the general contractor. A new contractor has been selected and an architect was on site Monday morning.
The business was covered by insurance.
As part of the rebuild, Gigi's hopes to expand an add more space.