With the odor of Sunday’s fire fading from a neighboring business, Shooter McGee’s (5249 Duke Street) reopened today (Tuesday).
A number of neighboring businesses have been closed since the Sunday morning (March 30) blaze in the 5200 block of Duke Street. AFD posted notifications outside the Blessed Smiles dental office at 5241 Duke Street and Hair Loom (5247 Duke Street) stating that the businesses were unsafe to occupy due to smoke and water damage. According to a staffer, the dental office expects to be closed for the rest of this week.
The fire shut down Shooter McGee’s on Sunday and Monday. The restaurant is celebrating its 46th anniversary in July, and general manager Ann Saliski said she and her staff are counting their blessings.
“It’s still a little smelly, but we’re just trying to make it work,” Salisky said.
Patrons at Shooter McGees are greeted with the following message inside the door:
Please pardon the slight campfire aroma. Our neighbors had a fire and we have residual smoke damage from it. We are working hard to provide a more neutral and less noisy atmosphere. We appreciate your understanding.
Thinking cozy thoughts,
Shooter McGee’s
The Alexandria Fire Department was alerted of the fire just before 6 a.m., and found the fire in a closet and the kitchen of Diko Bar & Hookah Lounge (5243 Duke Street).
ALXnow has contacted AFD and the Alexandria Police Department for more on the investigation.
Update (April 1 at 5 p.m.): The Alexandria Police Department is investigating last Sunday morning’s fire, which affected multiple businesses in the 5200 block of Duke Street, as a commercial robbery and arson.
