PLYMOUTH (WWJ) - Almost ten months after a devastating fire ripped through and forced popular Karl's Cabin Restaurant & Bar in Wayne County to temporarily close, the historic establishment will once again re-open its doors to the public on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
The restaurant will welcome back patrons at 11 a.m. sharp for regular service hours, seven days a week, management stated on social media.
Karl's Carbin underwent "herculean" restoration and remodeling efforts when a blaze started at the popular restaurant on 6005 Gotfredson Rd. in Plymouth that forced diners out of the building during the evening hours on Feb. 15.
Just before 8 p.m., fire crews were on scene to help battle back the fire, but the log cabin, originally built in 1947, went up in flames -- and quickly.
Restaurant owners called it a "perfect storm," after the fire was discovered to have started in the employee smoking station and high winds eventually carried it to the backside of the restaurant where it severe damaged the dish tank, walk-in coolers, banquet room and the offices above the cabin.
No one was injured in the incident.
In the long months that followed, the establishment said they battled severe smoke and fire damage, but set their sights on a late November opening.
Their hopes remained on schedule, the restaurant stated, due to their dedicated staff, support from the community and through the diligent work of contractors.
"We look forward to welcoming you back for your favorite comfort food dishes & into our newly remodeled restaurant," the business stated on social media. "Thank you for your unwavering support & loyalty. We truly missed you."
WWJ's Charlie Langton said the restaurant is one of the oldest log cabins in the state of Michigan with a rich history.
According to the restaurant's website, the roadhouse, originally called Rusceak's Rustic Tavern, served local farmers on horseback, curious travelers and local town-folk traveling heading down on North Territorial Road.
In 1956, the restaurant once played host to the legendary Johnny Cash as the then-young singer traveled through Detroit from Toronto.
"Throughout the years, though, the tavern earned somewhat of a hard-nosed reputation," the Karl's Cabin website states. "It had become home to rowdy patrons who would drink and dance into the night, and arguments were routinely settled by bar clearing brawls."
The roadhouse was founded by Alex Rusceak and his wife, Katie. After Alex's death, Katie maintained the property until her retirement. She sold it in the late 1960s and it then became known as Hefner's Hideaway.
The roadhouse once again took on a bad reputation for its after-hours operations, illegal gambling, and disorderly clientele, Karl's stated on it's web page. It was shut down before reopening as The Stockyard, but that, too, ultimately closed.
The abandoned log cabin was discovered by Karl Poulos as he searched for a place to open a new establishment and in 1982, the current Karl's Family Restaurant opened its doors.