One year ago, an early morning fire ripped through a popular row of restaurants in the Fenway, leaving businesses ravaged and customers mourning the loss of their beloved eateries. For months, business owners have expressed considerable interest in returning, and there now appears to be greater movement on making that a reality.
Colorful murals have brightened the site where six now-gutted restaurants and a dry cleaners operated on Peterborough Street until Jan. 6, 2009, while a neighborhood block party in September inspired hope of progress. City Councilor Michael Ross later helped resolve a disagreement between the property’s partners in November that he says cleared a major obstacle to moving forward.
Now, Monty Gold, a trustee of 84-100 Peterborough Realty Trust, said he is working with an architect to design rebuilding plans that should be ready in the next 10 to 20 days, though no timetable beyond that is set. However, Gold and restaurant owners say there is strong interest to bring back many of the same businesses.
James Hoben, owner of El Pelon Taquieria, said he still receives e-mails from customers with words of support and questions of a return date. “We’re looking to go back as soon as possible,” he said.
