APTOS — Work is moving ahead on The Hideout restaurant that sustained massive damage in a fire in May.
The day after the fire property owner Dale Berman was on scene surveying the damage. He was back at 9051 Soquel Drive on June 17 to watch demolition begin, and on Monday morning he was there again as workers were taking photos of the remains of the building and foundation after the burned portions of the structure had been removed.
The foundation and several of the original wood walls were all that was left of the popular restaurant, which served a wide menu, from Mediterranean to California grill, as well as Asian fusion, Italian, seafood, soups, sandwiches and burgers. They also had a full bar and indoor and outdoor seating.
“We’re on schedule and I’m very pleased with the work I’ve seen,” Berman said. “We’ve been working with the building department and all our permits are lining up. We should have the building permits by October and that’s when the building starts to take shape.”
Berman said he had previous experience designing some area restaurants, including the major redesign of the popular Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria in Capitola.
“Right now it looks like we’re in line to get this place up and running in about nine months — that’s what we’re aiming for,” Berman said back in May. “I’m just glad to have the process set in motion.”
Mike DeMars, Fire Marshal for Central and Aptos/La Selva Fire, said no injuries were reported in the blaze and that the fire appeared to be accidental.
