Burned Grits Cafe in Forsyth torn down to make way for rebuild

This Saturday will mark two months since a tragic fire tore through the Grits Café in Forsyth destroying the restaurant popular with travelers and locals.

At least 60 firefighters from surrounding cities and counties fought the blaze March 19 and kept it from spreading to adjacent businesses. The fire was found to be accidental by the Forsyth Fire Department and was caused by improper storage of cleaning rags.

The burned remains were torn down this week to make way for the eatery to be rebuilt.

Co-owner Terri Wetendorf said in an e-mail Wednesday morning she and her husband chef-owner, Wayne Wetendorf, are in the middle of dealing with the insurance company.

"Our goal continues to be to rebuild Grits Cafe at her original location of 17 West Johnson St. in Forsyth," Terri Wetendorf said.

According to posts on the Grits Café website, the Wetendorfs thanked people for their “caring and willingness to lend a hand during our time of overwhelming loss.”

Wayne Wetendorf graduated in 1984 from the Culinary Arts program at George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. The Grits Café opened across from the Monroe County Courthouse in June 1999, according to the website.

The 125-year-old building was transformed into an upscale, casual dining restaurant with southern charm.

The website does not state when the owners plan to reopen.

To contact writer Linda S. Morris, call 744-4223.

This story was originally published May 15, 2012 at 7:42 PM with the headline "Burned Grits Cafe in Forsyth torn down to make way for rebuild."