Washington County restaurant destroyed in fire reopens 1 year later

WASHINGTON, Pa. — More than a year after a fire devastated Adams Pine Creek Buffet, the Washington County restaurant reopened Wednesday.

People began showing up at the restaurant around 2 p.m. By the time the restaurant opened at 3 p.m., people were waiting to get in.

Fire investigators never determined what caused the fire in Lone Pine, but owners Charlene and Chuck Adams lost everything in April 2012.

“(After) over a year of not baking or running the restaurant, things seem to be going quite well,” said Charlene.

At one point, she said they considered not reopening, but they wanted to do it for their customers, who she said are very loyal.

"The outpouring of well-wishes and the 'you have to come back' from our customers gave us the encouragement we needed to continue," said Charlene.

The buffet is in a new location on Chestnut Street in Washington that Charlene hopes will be even better for business.

“I think it's going to work out real well because it’s close to a lot of things and people are always looking for somewhere to eat, and I think they'll like this location,” said customer Patty Crispin.

WPXI