“We have been in Middletown for over 10 years. It was a great restaurant for us, one of our biggest restaurants in the Ohio region, and there are some very loyal patrons there. And this is why we decided to rebuild it,” said Jim Stomieroski, vice president of operations.
The company will reopen a brand new store at its previous location Sept. 15.
Firefighters from three departments spent several hours battling the blaze that broke out Aug. 8, 2008, in the early morning. The fire was believed to have been caused by an electrical problem with Lone Star’s neon sign, said Howard Terry, company spokesman.
For more than a year, the company has been cleaning up the site and building a new restaurant, which will be the third of its kind as part of a new corporate design. It will feature a lighter color scheme with a rustic stonework interior instead of the traditional dark wood. The bar will also be larger and centrally located, Terry said.
In addition, the restaurant will be all on one floor, unlike the old design which had two levels, with an elevator leading up to a party room. As a result, the new Lone Star will be a bit smaller, Stomieroski said.
Mike Robinette, economic development director for the city, said he was “elated” Lone Star decided to rebuild, and said it fills a high-demand niche in the city.
“I think it is a good sign for Middletown that they felt comfortable enough with the Middletown market to reinvest ... especially with the issues we are all facing in the economy right now,” he said.
Lone Star is hiring for several positions, including 20 full-time slots for managers, hostesses, cooks and prep work. Applications can be picked up at the trailer on-site, 6780 Roosevelt Ave., Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Those applying should be prepared for an on-site interview.
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