Below you will find a small diary we kept to log the process of the fire rebuilding so we can keep the community involved with the updates and status as their support is what kept up going…

The Grille Insurance Clarification
The Grille has insurance; however like many people there was not a ‘clear’ understanding of the insurance limitations and stipulations. We do not have ‘business interruption insurance’ which means we are without income until the business re-opens. The Grilles insurance only applies if the fire was started by accident by a person or if started because of something that happened inside for example, a grease fire. Anything having to do with the building like electrical and such does not apply unless we own the building. So since it was started by an electrical fire and we do not own the building our insurance will not cover the building or anything attached to the building for example, the roof, walls, bar etc. Our landlord however does have insurance for his building so the building reconstruction will be covered by what the insurance company thinks 'needs' to be fixed. So every single item inside not attached to the building is not covered for example, food, dry goods, plates, computers, liquor, paintings, equipment etc. This is what we have to personally pay out of pocket. If anyone has any questions about what will and will not be covered please feel free to contact Gina Kokkas.

We were without of a home, a business and income through this process and we have been blessed to have family and friends who welcomed us into their homes and put smiles on our faces on those days that seemed emotionally exhausting from our situation. Artie and I (Gina) are strong, happy, positive forward thinking types of people and this situation made it hard to stay focused and positive, but the community…. everyone of you, made it possible and gave us the strength to work through it and re-open.  Once we re-open we will be back to normal doing benefits and fund raisers for local schools, families, children and anyone in need. We will be spreading our love and joyous spirits back into the community very soon…

Universal Construction, Dan Dudgeon
Universal Construction is based in Brunswick, owned by a man who has a wonderful wife also working in Brunswick along with raising their children in Brunswick schools and sports leagues. They also employee Brunswick citizens which is a huge support for the community… We should always support our local community! We want to thank Universal Construction, owner Dan Dudgeon and his crew of men who donated their time, labor and experience in fixing and covering many things that the insurance wouldn't’t cover in our home. They are a huge help, doing excellent and professional work. We can’t thank them enough… We recommend everyone and anyone to use them with any construction or remodeling needs from the ground up for both residential and commercial work. Every person on the job site is compassionate, hardworking and understanding of what our needs are. Finding good help is sometimes difficult, however these men will exceed your expectations and put a everlasting smile on your face through their exquisite work. If you would like to contact Universal Construction please call, owner Dan Dudgeon at 440-310-0814.

As of April 29th, 2009... The Reason’s For The Long Wait
To start out we had to have the landlord’s insurance adjuster come out and give an estimate, however the local insurance adjuster does not handle large loss claims. So after he came out and realized there was a huge loss he had to transfer our claim to an adjuster who works in Columbus and handles the larger claims. This of course took a week or so to have him come down and do his estimate. On top of the time for him to actually arrive at The Grille, he went on a week vacation a day or so after. Then there was a delay in time with the explanation of insurance benefits and who was going to be to the on-site contractor. Once that was set we started moving forward with lining up workers through 'Universal Construction' and laying out the work that was needed. Once the adjuster and the contractor came to terms with the claim and work that needed to be done we had to submit plans to the architect who is approved by both the insurance company and the city. The architect comes and makes his measurements and then needs to figure out what needs to be made up to code on top of the fire damage. As you all know The Grille's building is very old and has had many owners throughout the years. Over the years there were changes made to the building that did not have permits and were not up to code, some examples are: there was no insulation in most of the walls, the windows were not installed properly, the floors had packing peanuts as floor padding, there were loose wires throughout the entire building, the entire roof did not have sufficient support all in all once they went in and took the char coaled and waterlogged ceiling down and ripped up the floors we realized the building was not up to code in virtually every way and in order to open back up for business it must be up to code. Since there is so much to do the architect has to back track what was done by permit and what was modified over the years without a permit, figure out what they did and how to get it up to code. This takes a lot of time especially considering since he has multiple jobs at once. Please understand we want and need The Grille to open as soon as possible, this is all we have. So we have done everything in our power to keep the process moving and not waste time by preparing and organizing the business from within and working on stuff outside of the building when the weather permits. Due to the outrageous cost of day-to-day living without a home for several months along with putting a restaurant back together, Artie and I had to take out a loan to survive and stay in business. Along the way were a few major issues we encountered which took more time... We initially covered up the holes in the roof, however someone who was trying to give a bid for the insurance company didn't cover the hole, shortly there after we had that snow storm and the snow came into the building and destroyed the hard wood floors and warped and ruined the bar, therefore the entire bar and floor had to be torn out. We were not allowed in the building for a few days after the fire and the pipes were not drained so when the snow storm came every pipe throughout the whole building burst. Once the ceiling came down we saw that the part of the roof that was not destroyed by the fire is caving in so the architect had to come back and do a new layout with that and then get it approved through insurance along with the bar, floor and pipes etc. On April 24th my husband and I were on our way out of town to celebrate my birthday with my best friend for the evening when we received a text saying “What’s going on at The Grille, a fire truck is there and I saw fire smoke when I passed by?”... We of course called the person back and told them to stop playing a joke, however he was telling the truth and it did catch on fire again. So we came back to The Grille to see that the front shingled awning portion of the building caught on fire in 3 small areas. Come to find out that the roof is as dry as sawdust and is extremely flammable on a hot day when it is that old and the flame retardant application doesn't’t work after so many years... So yes it’s true it truly did catch on fire however it did not do any interior damage—Thank God! So we now have to submit a separate claim to get that covered which of course takes more time. So now it’s April 29th and we have approval to start working on certain areas of The Grille which are limited to the prep area and bathrooms.  We hope to have the architect, city permit and zoning approval within a week or so... we will see how it goes and I will email everyone once we are in full swing with rebuilding and have some sort of tentative re-opening date which we are hoping is end of May - mid-June the latest. So as you can see it has not been the easiest journey and we can’t wait to open...

August 25th  2009 Where we are today…
So we are not open yet as you can see. As of today we are hoping to open beginning of October. Since the last update above we did receive our zoning paperwork and permits to work however or insurance adjuster by our count has gone on 3, 7-10 day vacations which seems to have set us back about 3 months. He typically leaves for a vacation on a Tuesday arrives back the following week Thursday, and then tries to catch up on work so we don’t get a phone call if at all till the following Monday or Tuesday. On this call we end up discussing things that should have been done before he left town. Now it’s the third week and he goes over our same issues ‘again’ for a few days. Week four, he’ll send a check for a random amount which is not close to what he was supposed to send nor does it have an explanation as to what the money is to go towards at that time. Then once the money is sent it takes days to get here then it takes several business days to clear since its two different banks and we are on about week 4 or 5 at that time. So we have gone to his boss and fought day in and day out but it just seems to be taking way longer than it should have.  And to top it off he wont pay to fix the second fire damage out front.

As of today we have finished the major work in the bathrooms and prep area, the new roof is up dry walled and painted, there is a new HVAC system in, the electrician has done most of his ‘rough’ work in the walls, the kitchen is ready to be worked on and the bar is starting to be framed.  There is still a lot of work to-do and we are still fighting the insurance agent as he is trying to hold back well over 50K in monies that should go directly into the building. So in order to finish the job and not waist any more time we are forced to take out another loan in hopes that the adjuster gives the money he is supposed to.
Artie and Gina Kokkas, want the business to be open more than anything in the world!
We hope that you all visit The Grille when we open soon… 

October 6th 2009
As of today we are still waiting for the adjuster to cut a final check. He is arguing things that are absolutely covered by the landlords insurance. Things such as ‘up to code’ construction like supporting a breaking ‘main beam’, adding FRP to the walls, making a vaulted ceiling so that there is no more flooding etc. Also arguing little things that again are covered but add up at the end!!! We just got word today that the insurance adjuster again will not be available for another week or so AGAIN!!! So as you can see this process is extremely exhausting and totally backwards. We need to get the check to open and to pay the vendors and employees who graciously accepted half of what was owed to them and are patiently waited for the balance. We apologize sincerely for this however  I am sure by know you see we have had no control. We would really like to thank our landlord who has tried his best to help move this process along through his insurance company. He and his wife have always been extremely fair and honest and we are blessed to have them as landlords.

Here is a simplified list of things we need to do as of today…
Bathrooms: buy partitions, hang all rails and dispensers, caulking and more paint of coat
Prep Room and party room/front room: done, just add and organize everything
Kitchen: sand and paint the drywall, hang FRP, lay the floor, put the light fixtures up, clean and test equipment
Bar Area: lay floor behind bar, finish molding on wine bar, poly all trim and the bar
Some miscellaneous painting outside and trim work
The beer line and soda pop guys should come next week to install their stuff…
This will only take a few more weeks… and with the help of a few dedicated people we will be open soon!!!

November 1st 2009
We have completed all the major work and are working on all the odds and ends and getting all the equipment back in and running. Getting the draft system up and running and getting the soda pop machine in etc. We have painting and decorating to do and we are looking to open on or by November 16th -  Hope to see you there!!!

The Grille Updates
Interior: Extended the bar to twice the size, 8 new flat screen TV’s and 1 huge 73’’ flat screen TV, new and improved speakers and stereo system, wall dividing the rooms is gone, 6 beers on tap with new beer system to keep your drafts at perfect temperature, vaulted ceiling, new HVAC system (for those really cold winter days), new pipes, new ceilings, more insulation, new beautiful leveled floors, fresh paint, new tile and remodeled bathrooms, updated theme, new tables and chairs, updated food and liquor menus but the same great service with a smile!
Exterior: The outside bar is twice as long with double the seating, adding a ramp, doubled the size of seating with a extended deck, new tables and chairs and a huge pit that can be used for anything but we are thinking of a basketball quart, not sure yet… (next spring)…

The Grille Benefits
The Grille Family did not ask for fundraiser benefits to be held however each benefit that was held was brought upon by the kindness of The Grille Family patrons and local business owners. There were hundreds of people who wanted to help in anyway they can. People wanted to help The Grille Family the way The Grille Family has helped others. So a few people got seriously involved in getting the benefits together and here is what we know.

Money Raised From The Events
$6,800 was raised from all the events combined. This money will only be used to re-open The Grille the first week we are in business. It will cover the initial cost of restocking all the fridges and freezers with food for the week, liquor, wine, beer, sodas and some dry goods like to-go boxes and napkins and cleaning supplies. The monies raised are the reason why we will be able to reopen and we cannot express how much we sincerely appreciate everyone’s love, support, prayers and blessings. This is truly an amazing community of people and we encourage everyone to work and live in Brunswick… the unity is unbelievable.

Skully Jaxx
The Skully Jaxx event was held on Saturday March 7th about 7pm till close. There was no cover charge for this event. This event had door prizes, 50/50 cash raffle, yahtzee raffle and a fundraiser item table that people could put their ticket by the item they wanted to win. There was also the ‘Artie fruit cup’ drink that the owners Matt Herman and Heath Johns gave 100% of the proceeds directly to The Grille Family along with their venue, staff and a portion of their evenings total sales. The owners and staff of this event participated in the fundraiser by purchasing raffle tickets and making donations. Romeos pizza donated pizza for everyone for the entire evening. Entertainment was donated by Big Daddy with Big Boy Productions DJ & Karaoke which played all night. This event was started by Scott Reddish owner of Big Boy Productions who spoke with the owners of Skully Jaxx about having a benefit and the owners responded immediately in offering to do a benefit to raise funds and to donate out of pocket. Wendy Dobson worked around the clock with Skully Jaxx and everyone involved having this event be organized and excellent! We’d like to give thanks to everyone who helped, donated, supported and came to the event.

Sidelines
The Sidelines event was Friday March 13th about 7:30 to midnight. There was a $20 cover charge for this event until later in the evening. The cover charge included live entertainment, pop, donated food, and all you can drink drafts in the banquet/basement room downstairs. All proceeds of the cover charge went to The Grille. This event had a 50/50 raffle and a fundraiser item table where people could get a chance to win anything on the table. There was also the ‘Gina pineapple upside down cake’ drink that the owners David & Fletcher gave 100% of the proceeds directly to The Grille Family along with there venue and staff. The owners donated a Vegas Trip which included 3 night hotel on the strip and $500 in play money! The owners and staff of this event participated in the fundraiser by purchasing raffle tickets and making donations. Food was donated by Tommy’s, Zeppe’s and Marcos Pizzerias along with 2 kegs that were donated by The Grille Family. Entertainment was donated by a few amazing bands who played until midnight. This event was started by an ‘anonymous’ patron and a neighbor of both The Grille & Sidelines. He told the owners of Sidelines about The Grille Family and the owners of Sidelines responded immediately in offering to do a benefit to raise funds. Nikki Reed worked around the clock with the owners of Sidelines and everyone involved having this event be organized and excellent! I’d like to give thanks to everyone who helped, donated, supported and came to the event.

O’Hara’s
The O’Hara’s event was Saturday March 21st about 7:30 to 1pm. There was no cover charge for this event. However there was a $10 ticket for all you can eat buffet and a $20 ticket for all you can eat buffet, all you can drink bud light draft and a raffle ticket. Any money raised from either of those two tickets after the first $100 which was paid to O’Hara’s for the donated and discounted cost of the food buffet. This event had door prizes, 50/50 raffles and a fundraiser item table that people could put there ticket by the item they wanted to win. O’Hara’s owner Ginny, donated discounted food for the buffet, her venue and staff. Entertainment was the weekly DJ Denise. The first of the all you can drink Bud Light draft keg was donated by The Grille once that was empty Ginny replenished it for the evening ticket holders. This event was started by Wendy Dobson who called the owner because she heard that Ginny the owner of O’Hara’s wanted to help anyway she could which included a benefit and possibly offering temporary employment for any of The Grille Family employees. Wendy Dobson worked around the clock with everyone involved in having this event be organized and excellent! We’d like to give thanks to everyone who helped, donated, supported and came to the event.

Dick Hoover Bowling Alley
The Dick Hoover Bowling Alley event was Saturday March 28th 11:30pm-2am. There was a $30 ticket which covered, bowling shoes, a lane and food donated by Jill Santo. A portion of the ticket proceeds went to The Grille. This event had a 50/50 cash raffle and a gift certificate item raffle and drawing. The Dick Hoover bowling alley reserved the lanes from midnight to close at a set cost for The Grille Fundraiser. Any money that was raised from the ticket cost that was left over after all the lanes and a few miscellaneous items were paid for was donated to The Grille. The Pizza was donated by Jill Santo, owner of Santos Pizza & More. Artie and Gina Kokkas made rigatoni and salad for this event as well. Entertainment was donated by Big Daddy aka Mike Jones of Big Boy Productions who played until midnight. This event was started by Nikki Reed who is a patron of The Grille. She told the owner of the Dick Hoover Bowling Alley about who we are and the owner responded in offering her to pay for all the lanes and reserve them for the event after the leagues are done which closed the venue to the public. Nikki Reed worked around the clock with local businesses and everyone involved having this event be organized and excellent! We’d like to give thanks to everyone who helped, donated, supported and came to the event.

Slim & Chubbys
The Slim & Chubbys event was Saturday April 11th 5-8pm. There was a $25 cover charge which included all you can eat wing and pasta buffet, domestic bottled beer, domestic draft beer, house wine and well liquor cocktails. This event had 50/50 raffles and a fundraiser item table that people could put there ticket by the item they wanted to win. Out of the $25 cover charge The Grille received $13 per person, and 100% of the 50/50 raffle and the fundraiser table. This event had the live band 'Friction' which was paid for by the owners. The owners and staff of this event participated in the fundraiser by purchasing raffle tickets and making donations.  This event was started by Jill Yontosh who called ‘Chubby’ and told him about what happened he immediately responded with the first available weekend date and offered the venue, his staff, live entertainment and his discounted food and drink. The Slim & Chubbys Crew and owners worked around the clock with local businesses and everyone involved having this event be organized and excellent! I’d like to give thanks to everyone who helped, donated, supported and came to the event.

Some Honorary Mentions
We’d like to make a few honorary mentions for those who donated time and effort into having these events be so amazing, Wendy Dobson, Debbie Wilkinson, Doug Wilkinson, Cheryl Wilk, Dave Dobson, Tommy & Brenda Wilkinson, Larry McClure, Nikki & Jeremy Reed, Jeanne Casper, Amber Dalakas, Dave Hastings, Scott Reddish, 'Aunt' Lauri Miles, Brian and Tammy Kastner, Party Station, Mike Jones a.k.a. Big Daddy, Larry & Patricia Wolfe, Tim Dunn of Glazers, Skin Flix Tattoos-Owner Jeff, Romeos Pizza, Santos Pizza and more, Kay Jewelers of Brunswick, True Value, Valley Farm Market, Family Video, Long Horn, Medina Auto Mall, Brunswick Auto Mart, Bill and Crystal Burgher, Renee Roditis & Lia Sophia Jewelry, Zach and Sharon Reid, Marty and Kelly Marxen, Josh and Holly Arbogast, Pure Romance-Kelly Prostor, Lori Welsh, Classy Red Hat Ladies of Brunswick, Ar-kay Florist, Mapleside Farms, Christian Jomani Salon, Pat Catans of Westlake & Strongsville, Mary Kay, Bunker Hill Golf Course & Cindy Cole, Brunswick Hills Golf Course, Coppertop, Century Cycles of Medina, UXL Fitness, Wingz Sports Bar and Grill, Blue Barry's – Owner Sharon, Georgios Pizza, Donut Land, Prime Time Limo, Applebees of Brunswick, Tuscan Sun, Totally Tan, Sherwin Williams, Jeremy Reid, 303 Marathon, Bill Doraty Kia, Fed Ex of Medina, Old World Deli, Rachel Ellis, Wendy Dobbins, Wayne Hunt, Betty Amersbach, Mark and Lisa Lahotsky, Panteck Owned & Operated Business, Fallen Riders, Pampered Chef- Mrs. Jones, Applebees, Dave’s Custom Framing, Bruno Brothers, His & Her Salon, Vogue Nails, Party Station, Dairy Queen, Savory Subs, Hungry Howies, Quiznos, Creative Cuts, Alex’s Pro Paint- Alex Samochin, Elite Dance Academy, Universal Construction, CCC Coffee, Skully Jaxx, Sidelines, O’Hara’s, Dick Hoovers Bowling Alley and Owners of Slim & Chubby’s Strongsville. There are sooooo many more people who deserve to be mentioned, those who donated anonymously, those who participated in the raffles and table fundraisers, those who got tickets to any event, those who came just to show your love for The Grille Family, those who spread the word and those who prayed for us and there are so many more... All the fire, police and city officers who helped contain the fire. So please know and understand whole heartedly we love each one of you and thank you forever. We appreciate any and all efforts and prayers and can’t wait to open again and show you our appreciation and enjoy a wonderful year…