CHESHIRE – A crowdfunding drive for a local pizzeria that was hit by a fire last month raised more than $ 7,000 on Monday.
Fuoco Apizza on West Main Street had to close just days after Christmas after a fire caused “significant” damage to the building, a local fire officer said.
A GoFundMe page set up the day after the fire was set up to help the pizzeria recover. As of Monday afternoon, the site had raised over $ 7,200 from 87 donors.
“This restaurant has quickly become one of the best pizzerias in CT, specializing in New Haven-style pizzas made from coal, with an owner and family who put their hearts, sweat and tears into making their dreams come true,” wrote the organizer. “Fire is one of the worst things that can happen to a new business, and this event showed that the stove, cooking equipment, and all of the interior are totally destroyed by fire, smoke, and water.”
Fire chief Jack Casner told Hearst Connecticut Media after the fire that smoke spread throughout the property while the fire was burning in the kitchen and surrounding areas.
The company shared a fundraiser link on its Facebook page last week, saying the proceeds will be used to support the team.
“It has taken a lot of effort to grow the family that works at Fuoco, and we need to make sure they survive this battle!” Said the post.
The company has also announced that it will honor gift cards at Christo’s Restaurant & Bar in Wallingford, with the pizza business being “indefinitely” closed.
The previous reporting by Meghan Friedmann contributed to this report.