Landmark Restaurant Ripped By Flames | News

A Luzerne County landmark is in ruins after an early morning fire severely damaged the place.

Firefighters were called to Grico's Restaurant along Wyoming Avenue in Exeter.

The historic restaurant is nearly gutted. Grico's has stood along Wyoming Avenue for the last 76 years and Friday many locals said they have lost a treasure.

Just after 2 a.m. flames ripped through the restaurant.

It spanned generations and was a popular gathering place for locals and politicians.

Two years ago, Newswatch 16 interviewed owner Pam Greenfield, who called her restaurant something straight out of the 1930s, complete with features like private dining booths.

Now, just about everything is destroyed and customers are devastated.
 
"It was absolutely gorgeous in there, the woodwork, just everything. The restaurant, it was a landmark. It's sad that everything burned, it really is. It was gorgeous in there, absolutely beautiful," said Michelle Ondusko.  

The Exeter fire chief believes an electrical problem in the basement caused the fire and flames quickly spread. All day a steady stream of locals stopped by to see the damage to the historic restaurant.

"The food was good, it was good and plentiful and now seeing it all charred up. It's now just completely gutted. Better go back and tell my wife. It's a shame," said Charles Lombardo.

Owner Pam Greenfield had to be rescued from the porch above the main entrance  but firefighters say she was not hurt.