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Lone Star back in business

Among those attending the reopening was a local firefighter who was on the scene of the 2008 blaze.

Lone Star Steakhouse reopened for business Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 6780 Roosevelt Ave. in Middletown. The restaurant burned down Aug. 8, 2008.

Staff photo by Gary Stelzer Lone Star Steakhouse reopened for business Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 6780 Roosevelt Ave. in Middletown. The restaurant burned down Aug. 8, 2008.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Photos: Middletown Lone Star reopens

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer Updated 6:58 AM Thursday, September 17, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — A handful of customers on Wednesday, Sept. 16, eagerly entered the new Lone Star Steakhouse, where a roaring fire in the lobby hearth greeted them for an early 10:30 a.m. lunch at the restaurant’s grand reopening.

One customer waiting out front Wednesday was Karl Gaston, the Middletown firefighter who tore the quadriceps in both legs after tripping over a hose while helping put out the fire that destroyed the old steakhouse Aug. 8, 2008. For him, the reopening was bittersweet. The restaurant signified both the beginning and the end of his career.

Gaston said his official last day with the fire department was Sept. 9, as his injuries will require him to receive disability benefits. The 51-year-old remembers celebrating his last day of recruitment classes with a meal at Lone Star.

“It’s real emotional,” Gaston said as he looked up at the new building on Roosevelt Avenue. “But I’m glad they didn’t move. Middletown really needed this.”

Lone Star officials said they recognized the company had the opportunity to walk away from the ashes, but had faith in the location and the community they served.

“Middletown was always a good location for us before. And anytime there is as traumatic an event to our community and our company as a building burning down, if it is something we could work out financially to rebuild, we did, and we did here,” said Kelly Heizer, regional vice president for Lone Star. “It’s really a win-win for everybody.”

Bill Triick, president of the Chamber of Commerce Serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton, said at the opening that Lone Star’s dedication to rebuilding “in the depths of the recession” and creating 110 jobs was an amazing vote of confidence for the city.

“You’re giving a great indication that as far as you’re concerned the recession is almost over,” he said to employees at the ribbon-cutting. “This is a tremendous investment.”

Lone Star is located at 6780 Roosevelt Ave., Middletown.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.

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