S&S Cafeteria in Macon may be closed months after fire, owner says. Some staff unemployed

It could take months for S&S Cafeteria in Macon to reopen after a fire destroyed its kitchen Saturday night.

Rick Pogue, CEO of the Middle Georgia chain, said he was notified of a fire at the Riverside Drive location around 11:30 p.m. when a building alarm went off, but “there’s a lot of unknowns.”

“The fire in the photos people see was a lot worse than it really is. Just a lot of damage in the kitchen,” Pogue told The Telegraph.

The restaurant was recently remodeled, he added.

The Bibb County Fire Department contained the fire quickly before it could spread to the front of the restaurant, Pogue added. Most of the building’s exterior appeared untouched Monday.

But water and fire retardant chemicals to treat the fire ruined much of the kitchen equipment and some of the interior toward the back of the building, he said.

The front was “in good shape,” Pogue said, “other than some smoke and some water damage from the fire department.”

The crew followed standard closing protocol that night, according to Pogue. Fire Capt. Kyle Murray said it appeared to be an accident, but the incident was still under investigation Tuesday.

Employees left as usual around 9 p.m. after the restaurant closed. Nobody was inside or injured during the fire.

The restaurant’s insurance gave approval to start a mitigation process, Pogue said.

He expects health inspections and repairs to take a minimum of two to three months.

Until then, some workers were transferred to another S&S location on Bloomfield Village Drive, and some are unemployed.

“We can’t employ everyone, but we’re doing our very best to accommodate our coworkers,” Pogue said. “We’re doing everything we can to help everybody, all the resources from the government and state.”

The restaurant chain is a local staple that began over 85 years ago. Several fans posted condolences about the fire on Facebook.

Facebook user Jennifer Q. Oller said she grew up in Macon and lives in Louisville, Kentucky, but always makes time to visit S&S when she’s back.

“Every time I come home I must have S&S. The Riverside location has been in my life for 40 years,” Oller said. “I lived with my dad and he would take me there a few times a week because he wasn’t the best cook. The staff is in my prayers.”

Another user, Joyce Nix, recalled her usual order.

“Always loved S&S, especially the liver and onions and carrots salad,” Nix said.