A popular soul food restaurant on Buffalo's eastside is forced to temporarily close its doors. Early Saturday morning firefighters responded to what started as a kitchen fire at Gigi's restaurant near the corner of Jefferson and Ferry street.
Owner of the historic Buffalo restaurant Blondine Harvine also known as Ms. Gigi, says the inside of the building has lots of damage. Damage to the restaurant is estimated at $150,000.
Members of the community and long time patrons of Gigi's were devastated by the news. One in particular was Council President and Pastor of True Bethel Baptist Church, Darius Pridgen.
"Gigi's is a place where people in the community go for not only fellowship but some, especially the older generation that does not cook, they go there because of a need", says Pridgen. "My own father goes there almost every day of the week."
Pridgen says the True Bethel Food truck may be used to feed the elderly who can no longer eat at Gigi's.
In addition to the damages, the fire leaves 12 of the restaurant's employees temporarily of work. To aid those people, Pridgen has volunteered to raise $12,000 within the month so those families will have money before the holidays.
