Update: Good Times bar destroyed by fire

CRESCO - The Cresco community has been anxiously awaiting the opening of the Good Times Grill, formerly of Decorah, since September 2021. The business was set to open around Labor Day, but the wait will be a little longer.
“For those who haven't heard yet, there was a fire at the Cresco building this evening.  No one was hurt thankfully, but there will be another period of rebuilding,” owner Jon Wedl (rhymes with ladle) stated on the business’ social media page.
The Cresco Fire Department responded to a structure fire at Good Times Bar & Grill at 104 N. Elm Street on Aug. 18 at 7:39 p.m.
Wedl was sitting in his upstairs office, which overlooks North Elm St., making up the menu and plans for a six-hour opening on Saturday of Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest. His work crew, who have been busy updating the structure,  had left 5-5:30.
He saw a man sitting in his truck on the stree, looking oddly at the building and talking on his phone. Then he saw some smoke.
When he opened his office door, the smoke came billowing in. Wedl immediately couldn’t see. He crawled his way to the back of the building, where a safety door was installed. The door allows access to the building to the south, Murphy, Coe & Smith [MCS, formerly Aspenson Real Estate].
When he got next door, Wedl banged on apartment doors making sure everyone was out of the building.
According to Fire Chief Neal Stapelkamp, arriving fire personnel found smoke coming from windows, doors and the roofline, with the smoke gaining in pressure and density. “Immediate evacuation were ordered of all tenants in the apartments above all businesses within the block.” That included MCS/Wildflower Framing/ GrandPad, Good Times, Holstrom Jewelry annex, Holstroms, The Pub and Lighthouse Counseling.
Without the quick action of the Cresco Community Fire Department, the whole block could have been in trouble. Mutual aid was immediately called for Ridgeway, Lime Springs and Protivin, with Decorah on standby in Cresco.
Entry was made by firefighters, at which time active fire was found to be in the basement, as well as very heavy heat and smoke load throughout the downtown main street building that was under construction. “Firefighters were able to safely access the basement and extinguish the fire. Once the fire had been contained and isolated, efforts were made to ventilate the building of heat and smoke.”
Stapelkamp reported the process was very time-consuming as there are three levels, multiple rooms and several remodels over the years.
Barb Holstrom, who lives above the jewelry store, said, “The fire department did a great job. They got mutual aid watching the back alley and more. People were really helpful. They kept asking if we needed anything.”
They were allowed to go back into their apartments around 11:30 p.m. The apartments smelled of smoke, but were otherwise okay.
The corner building sustained a little more smoke damage since it and the Good Times building were originally one structure. Those tenants have been displaced for a while.
The Chief Stapelkamp reported firefighters were one the scene until about 12:30 a.m. Besides the fire departments listed, the CFD was assisted by Cresco Police Department, Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Regional Health Services of Howard County Ambulance, Alliant Energy, black hills Energy, City of Cresco Water Department, Howard County Emergency Management, Cresco Fire Dispatchers, Kwik Star, Fareway, McAllister Catering and many area citizens. “Cresco Fire would like to thank all for the great support.”
After the commotion calmed down, Wedl stated, “I am grateful for the Cresco Fire Department and their quick action.  I have a new-found respect for anyone who will go into that danger after [I had to crawl] out of it. 
“For those like myself who just want a [darn] burger and a beer, it’s coming.  Life has not quit with the hurdles, but we haven’t quit jumping either.  Still coming Cresco, please be patient.”

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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