Community rallies around Ozawkie owner after restaurant fire

TOPEKA (KSNT) - After a fire burned down a Jefferson County restaurant, community members are rallying together to make sure the business stays afloat.

Thursday, Jan. 9, Lago Vista Grill in Ozawkie caught fire. On Sunday, Jan. 12, community members gathered at the local American Legion to show Lago Vista Grill's owner Miguel Cadena their support.

"Today was a hard start for me, having the realization that you have to face everybody today," Cadena said. "And I really putting a weight on what was lost. Having everybody here has just been a rocket fuel in my engine today because it has really kind of really pulled me out, you know, pulled me out of my own head."

Cadena hosted a free community lunch with all of the food that was stored in a separate walk-in freezer as a way to say thank you for the outpouring of support.

Some community members told 27 News that the lunch turnout was better than they could have imagined, and it's all because of Cadena.

"We're very fortunate that in the small towns, there is a least one good place to eat, and his [Miguel] is the best," Cadena's friend Jill Patrick said.

"Seeing everybody out here, no parking out there at all, it's just packed, and you can see that Jefferson County really cares for this business and Miguel as a person," Nortonville resident Aubrey Weishaar said.

"It's really cool to see that we're all like rallying around him," community member AJ Kreutzer said. "Keep doing this, keep showing up, that's the most important part."

Cadena told 27 News people have already pitched in to get the business back up and running as soon as possible.

"The local hardware store gave gift cards to help with the rebuild. I mean, Bobby Food Co. offered his food truck for us," Cadena said. "There's just so many people that have reached out."

Cadena just has one last thing to say to his community.

"We will be back," Cadena said.

There is a GoFundMe for people to support the restaurant's recovery.

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