ROCKFORD, Mich - One year ago Tuesday, Corner Bar went up in flames. The fire destroyed decades of West Michigan history at the Rockford landmark.
The owners promised to rebuild, and they are getting close to fulfilling that promise.
"It was pretty devastating I won't lie," Sparta resident Carley Andrews said.
Hundreds were watching in dismay. It began as a dumpster fire which triggered a gas line explosion on Aug. 14, 2017.
"There was very little salvaged," Corner Bar owner Sarah Wolfe said.
The memories were permanent.
"Everybody rallied around us in the corner from the very beginning," Wolfe said. "We always knew it was a big part of the community, but really had no idea until -- we have heard from so many people throughout the course of this year, just so many memories for people like firsts and laughs."
It was one heartfelt conversation that reaffirmed what Wolfe already knew.
"There was ash falling and this guy walks up, he was an older gentleman and he started to cry, and he said, 'We've had so many family occasions there, I hope you guys will be back,' and we said we would and that was the beginning of it," Wolfe said.
Rebuilding was definitely a part of the plan.
"We knew we'd be back, the process is challenging but we knew we would be here and we're grateful," Wolfe said.
The Rockford community is ready and waiting.
"I am pretty excited for it to reopen," Andrews said.
"I've been waiting all summer for the Corner Bar to open back up, I have missed my chicken burritos," a Rockford resident said.
"I'm happy they didn't give up," Andrews said.
Wolfe plans to reopen the Corner Bar before Labor Day.
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