Fire at Nicaro
I figured the business there would go down in flames because of the much better restaurants around it. Never thought it would *really* go down in flames.
These photos are from 2:30 Saturday afternoon, after the flames had been extinguished and people were allowed to actually walk by. The shot you see of Olazzo’s front door (8235 Georgia Avenue) shows where the fire crews had to poke holes in their ceiling, through the creepy wig shop next door. Lots of smoke and fire damage to the neighboring businesses as well. I don’t believe anyone was hurt, but the reports I heard could be mistaken.
Being one who frequents Olazzo, I am none too pleased, and I know the owners at Nicaro aren’t either.
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I hope no one was hurt, but I really don’t care about Nicaro, hasn’t been good in a long time, all I care about is if Olazzo was damaged or not. Any word?
A little damage, but they’re open for business tonight.
Aw, I just missed the show. I walked right by there at about 12:30 today.
JG & Jimmy, this was a fire. A FIRE. It’s not funny.
At least one local business has been hurt. Local buildings have been damaged. Good thing the fire dept. is practically across the street. If that fire had spread, it could have taken out some deeply loved places.
“I hope no one was hurt, but I really don’t care about Nicaro…”
Um, are you unable to read? I said I hope no one was hurt. The fire doesn’t change the fact that Nicaro is not a high quality restaurant anymore, hasn’t been since the change in chef/ownership. Olazzo is great and an important restaurant on that strip. I wish the fire didn’t happen at all, but since it I’d prefer it didn’t take out a great restaurant vital to the development of Georgia Ave. So chill out…
Hey, Nancy – I agree. Two words: CHILL OUT. No one said it was funny or anything of the sort. And I think you’re being hypocritical saying that “if that fire had spread, it could have taken out some deeply-loved places.” How, exactly, are you defining “deeply loved?” Does Nicaro not fall into that category? Because I *KNOW* Nicaro was deeply loved by many people. Just not me. Or some others. But it certainly had its fans. And owners. And employees.
As far as I’m concerned, shame on YOU for being short-sighted and accusatory.
Does anyone think the owner started the fire? It might be his best option if business wasn’t that good.
Let’s just say that has been one of the primary questions in the discussion around the neighborhood.
Yea, I can’t WAIT to hear what ESSCA finally decides happened (infamous eye roll).
I walked from Bonifant over to Jackie’s Sidebar one weeknight around 8:30 a few weeks ago and was pleased to see a lot of life in the restaurants along Georgia Avenue. There were lots of people at Olazzo and some at Nicaro, the Big Greek, and the Ethiopian restaurants. It wasn’t packed like it is on Ellsworth on the weekends, but it wasn’t a ghost town either. Now that Pacci’s is open and the Fire Station soon to open, I’m excited about the nightlife opportunities along this stretch of the neighborhood.
Don’t forget the potential for another restaurant where Taste of Jerusalem was. PLEASE not another Ethi or scary salon!
Sorry about Nicaro’s troubles, glad nobody was hurt, and wouldn’t mind if this was the last straw for Nicaro and they called it quits. This will probably set my karma back a dozen lifetimes, but I’m glad it was Nicaro and not Olazzo, which is one of my favorites.
Maybe we’ll get a groovy jazz or tiki bar there — someplace to go after chowing down at Olazzo.
P.S. Eric, if you ever call me “Mr. __ ” again, I’ll have to whack you with my walking stick. Let’s stick to Mike.
Mike – It must have been my polite Southern upbringing that made me say it.
Great to see you Saturday.
And I think recreating some sort of tiki bar there would be ideal. As long as we could install a pool inside and float some tables in the middle.
Eric,
My wife and I did take note of your politeness, which is never a fault. And if we do ever get that tiki bar with pool, I’ve got a closet full of the world’s most hideous Hawaiian shirts to wear to it.
yeah… that wig store IS creepy.