High winds ripped off a portion of Growler’s roof during an August 12 severe storm.
“They are going to replace the copper roof with the same copper materials so there is no need for a historic area work permit and no need for an expedited review,” said Greg Ossont, Gaithersburg’s Planning and Code Administration Director.
At press time, the Olde Towne restaurant at 227 East Diamond Avenue remains closed after losing a portion of its roof on the morning of August 12 during a severe thunderstorm.
“We had a lot of rain damage inside,” said Brian Danko, Growler’s manager.
As for reopening, Danko said it will be six weeks or more depending on how fast construction commences.
According to Danko, a company specializing in disaster relief has cleaned up water damage inside the building, including damage to the management office where computers were lost, but estimates for roof repairs remain outstanding. At press time, he said the restaurant’s owners were awaiting cost estimates for the storm damage and revenues lost.
Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz, along with City Manager Angel Jones, visited the business a week after the storm hit Gaithersburg.
“It really is a mess inside,” said Katz, who added the city was doing all it could to help the business get reopened.
Danko said the restaurant, known for its microbrews, employs about 50 people, and he hopes the workers will come back when the restaurant reopens. He said many of them work two jobs so he hopes they will return. That’s a message he wants others to hear too.
“Make sure they come in when we do open,” Danko said when asked by The Town Courier what customers should know.
A beer garden planned for the city’s Celebrate Gaithersburg festival this month is the only event affected by the closure so far, according to Danko.
City officials say the Belt Building was built in 1903, making it well over 100 years old. The property is a locally designated historic site and is listed on the National Register.
Growler’s fans can keep informed of reopening plans via the restaurant’s website (www.growlersofgaithersburg.com) and through postings on its Facebook page.