UPDATE: Little Saigon is back, but 2 other restaurants still fighting to reopen after devastating fires

After two months of hustling to get back to doing what she loves, Thauh Do "T.D." Tran was finally able to cross the finish line and reopen shop this week.

>>NEW: Overheated machinery blamed for fire at Oregon District Provisions retail market 

Tran's family business, Little Saigon, 1718 Woodman Drive in  Dayton, is one of three local restaurants that closed due to fires in recent months.

Loyal customers have been anxiously waiting for the reopening of the Vietnamese restaurant after a kitchen fire between Thursday, May 24, and Friday, May 25, damaged equipment and forced Little Saigon to close. Following a final health department inspection Tuesday, the restaurant officially reopened for business Wednesday.

Credit: Sarah Franks

Credit: Sarah Franks

“We missed our customers very much,” Tran said .

>>Vietnamese restaurant re-opens more than 2 months after devastating fire

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Owners of 30-year-old Dayton restaurant vow to come back following destructive fire

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

➡️  Salar Restaurant and Lounge, 400 E. Fifth St., held open interviews for restaurant employees June 25 and 26 and again a few weeks later in July.

The prominently located Oregon District restaurant has been closed since the Dec. 29 fire.

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"It's a roller coaster. We've been working since day one trying to reopen," said Margot Blondet, the owner of Salar Restaurant and Lounge at 400 E. Fifth St. "We are going to change the bar, add a new foyer. When you come in it, is going to be more welcoming."

Blondet, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Lima, Peru, opened Salar in 2013 at the former site of Sidebar.

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

➡️ The Brunch Club, the popular diner at 601 S. Main St. downtown, has been closed since an early morning kitchen fire on April 20.

No customers were in the business when the fire started and no one was physically injured.

In May, owner Jim Vari told us it might take two to three more weeks before he would be able to reopen the Brunch Club. The reopening has since been delayed, and a July 31 Facebook update announced the diner is hoping for a September reopening.

“We can’t wait to be open and serving all our loyal customers again. Hang in there. Please keep watching our page for any new updates,” said Vari in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Brunch Club owner says fire damage more extensive than first thought. When will the restaurant reopen? (May 1, 2018)

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

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