April 10, 2023 at 11:33 a.m.
Rising from the ashes: Owners of Dinky Diner look to the future
Rising from the ashes: Owners of Dinky Diner look to the future
By Renee Draszkiewicz-
Efforts to assist the owners in sorting through and finding solutions to the problems they are facing have been offered from individuals as well as local business owners.
Covin noted that he's received calls from numerous local restaurants - Papillons, Casa Mexicana, and others - offering work opportunities for staff.
The Red Cross is assisting with those who lived in the apartments near the diner, who have been displaced since the fire.
Terrie Bowman said the sheer amount of thoughts and prayers from the community - both on social media and face to face - has been overwhelming.
"The support and kindness we have received from our community has made us stronger," she recently reflected in a Facebook post. "We thank you all so very much."
The contributions of the community grew roots in the past week.
"The Dinky Diner wasn't just a place, and it wasn't just a job" Krystal Bowman, daughter of the owners, said. "Everyone who walked through that door was family and part of a special community."
She started a GoFundMe page in efforts to assist with those displaced and out of work. Within 24 hours, donations reached 10% of their $50,000 goal. As of this past Thursday morning, the page had generated nearly $9,000 in donations - mostly in the $25-$100 range, though one anonymous donor chipped in $1,000 to the cause.
"I'd just like to say that the community has been overwhelmingly supportive and there have been volunteers left and right helping any way they can," Krystal Bowman said.
In addition to the online efforts, a fundraising event is in the works. It will take place on April 30 at the Stella Town Hall.
There will be raffles, auctions, food, drink, and live music featuring Tuck Pence, Scott Kirby, Bob Weigant, and Billy Bronsted. Raffle basket donations are appreciated from any local businesses or groups. Event details will be announced later this month on the GoFundMe page (https://gofund.me/af8f5a6e) and Facebook.
Recovery process
Covin expressed deep gratitude toward those who have reached out to assist financially to support their ability to rebuild. Due to structural defects from the fire, and a previous fire that took place over a hundred years ago, the next stages are likely going to involve rebuilding from the ground up, he said.
"It's not uncommon to see what the fire marshals found in the building. Flooring and ceiling stripped and rebuilt layer upon layer."
These conditions fed the fire and got into the structural integrity of the building making it necessary to tear down, he explained.
On March 31, just three days after the blaze, the first of what will likely be many discussions about zoning and coding began as the owners hope to rebuild and bring new life to a well-known icon in the town.
Bowman and Covin said they are optimistic, but understand there are many uncertainties and appreciate the continued support as they navigate through the answers. Reports from the fire marshals' investigation will be put together after a planned follow-up visit Friday.
"We are moving forward," they said in a joint statement. "We are not sure when, where, how and what we will build next, but we will move forward and form a plan. We want to be back in business and feeding the masses and hugging our customers again soon."
The diner was not the only business affected by the fire. The Reve, a coffee shop, was also damaged and has been unable to remain open.
Young entrepreneur Jesse Steinmetz opened the business just two summers ago and has been bringing the community together as part of his mission to offer places to connect. Without the ability to continue business, the shop has closed and the tenants above have been displaced due to the smoke damage.
Continued support is also welcome for these individuals impacted by the fire.
A historical icon
The building and street block hold quite a unique history. The building at 230 Thayer Street has stood for 127 years. Within that time, it was in the heart of "hobo jungle" in Rhinelander during the era of the Great Depression and a welcome place for those struggling to find work and earn their keep to get a meal.
"Hungry hollow" was the location where the Chicago Northwestern and Soo Line Railroads intersected, and was the location of many hobo villages. The villages were temporary locations which were resting places for the more than 4 million transient workers who would travel the country migrating to wherever they could find work.
Unlike what a hobo might be associated with today, individuals who are wandering or without a home, hobos throughout the Great Depression and into the '50s and '60s were migrant workers willing to work for their meals.
230 Thayer Street, formerly the home of the Sportsman's Cafe, was a hot spot where many came to work or spent their earnings. Right next to the train tracks that led many into town, the building was the first thing they saw as they followed the tracks.
For decades, the building maintained its intended purpose as a restaurant feeding the masses of Rhinelander.
The Dinky Diner made its residence in late 2018 continuing to grow a base to the downtown Rhinelander community and maintaining a welcoming feeling as, in keeping with the restaurant's slogan, a "place where friends gather."
In the wake of the March 28 fire, a new chapter must be written for both the restaurant and the Hollow, but both will certainly continue to be places where friends gather.
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