West Columbia BBQ Favorite Reopens After Fiery Setback
West Columbia, S.C. — In a heartwarming comeback story, Maurice’s Piggie Park BBQ is once again serving its famous barbecue just one week after a devastating 3-alarm fire brought their headquarters to the ground. The beloved local restaurant has reopened its doors at three of its Midland locations this past weekend, much to the delight of its loyal customers.
“We’re Back in Business!”
With a triumphant spirit, the President and Co-Owner of Maurice’s, Lloyd Bessinger, shared, “We’ve had to rent some smokers to smoke our meats, and we’ve had to rent some refrigerated trucks just for storage. Our team is doing a great job at working hard, and everybody is doing all they can!” It’s touching to see how the hardworking team behind Maurice’s is coming together to weather this storm.
After assessing the damage over the past week, three locations have opened up their grills and are ready to serve hungry customers. For many, this news has cooked up a sense of happiness, with many customers expressing their surprise and joy at being able to enjoy their favorite BBQ so soon after the fire. Justin Crolley, a local resident, shared his excitement: “We were all pretty happy when we saw the news yesterday that this spot was going to be open. Even with a limited menu, we couldn’t tell, and everything we usually get is here!” Talk about a dedicated fan base!
The Heartwarming Community Response
West Columbia’s community spirit shone brightly as locals rushed to support their favorite soap and BBQ joint. Tony Moultrie, a devoted customer who frequents Maurice’s three times a week, emphasized how important it is to keep these locations operational: “Fifty-two people that work right there between here and the headquarters. With the holidays coming, they have money to spend during the holiday season, so I’m glad about that.” It’s an uplifting reminder of how a local business can be the heart of a community.
Looking Ahead
While one week after the fire has yielded a tremendous turnaround, Bessinger noted that there’s still a long way to go. “I don’t have a concrete timeline of how long all of our recovery efforts will take, but we’re optimistic,” Bessinger said. The team is actively exploring new kitchen spaces to ensure that customers can continue enjoying the smoky goodness that they know and love. “We’ve rented a large kitchen, and we’re going to be doing a lot of our food prep out of that kitchen starting next week,” Bessinger elaborated.
For those looking to support the beloved BBQ chain during this tough time, Bessinger encourages fans to purchase their signature sauce and merchandise. “Every little bit helps,” he mentioned, highlighting how important community support is in these trying times.
Investigation Still Underway
As the community celebrates this timely reopening, questions remain regarding the cause of the fire. Officials from the West Columbia Fire Department are currently investigating the situation, but there’s no update just yet on what started the blaze that impacted the headquarters of this cherished establishment.
With so much love from the community to lean on, Maurice’s Piggie Park BBQ seems to be on the right track to recovery. So, if you’re in the West Columbia area, why not swing by one of the open locations and treat yourself to some delicious BBQ? Your taste buds will thank you, and you’ll be supporting a local business that’s weathering the storm.
