Fire ruins restaurant’s birthday party plans

The owner's mother-in-law was outside hanging celebratory balloons for the 70th-birthday party planned Saturday for Jimmy John's Pipin' Hot Sandwiches when she saw workers run from the building - and then saw the smoke.

"I just couldn't believe it . . . of all days," said Ann Cosgrove, shaking her head.

The fire at the landmark eatery on Route 202 in Delaware County was reported at 8:19 a.m. and brought under control in about two hours, said Concordville Fire Chief Thomas Nelling.

Nelling said the blaze started in the kitchen and no one was injured. About 10 fire companies assisted, he said.

"It looks to me like the building's a total loss," Nelling said.

The blaze gutted much of the interior of the one-story, red-brick building and burned through sections of the roof; however, the walls were still standing. Nearby, a sign advertised the birthday festivities, which were to include dogs, burgers, and sodas priced at 70 cents each.

Cosgrove said Roger Steward, Jimmy John's owner, had been "planning this day forever." She said she and other relatives arrived this morning to lend a hand.

"I told him: This is your day, and he said, 'No, it's not my day. Today is my customers' day, and this is to let them know how much we appreciate them,'" Cosgrove related.

But instead of dishing out conviviality with their signature hotdogs and burgers, about a dozen employees somberly salvaged bits of history, such as an oldtime photo of the West Chester Fire Company and a group shot of the Mighty Macs, Immaculata College's famed 1972 women's basketball team.

A makeshift assembly line formed as firefighters handed workers the memorabilia, some items severely charred and others remarkably unscathed. Workers placed them outside the businesses next door: the 202 Knife Shop and Tony Polito's Barber Shop and Military Museum.

The restaurant, a throwback to a bygone era, has been known for decades for its customer-oriented atmosphere, "have it your way" dogs and burgers, a miniature railroad system, and pun-filled billboards. A sign at the exit says: "We hope you Chew - Choo - Choose us again."

Sara Steward, the owner's daughter, said although the family was devastated by the fire, they were grateful no one was hurt. She said it was painful to see so much destruction, though.

"My father's put his heart and soul into this place," she said.

Roger Steward bought the restaurant, where he had worked as the manager for 28 years, from its founder, James "Jimmy" John, who died at age 91 in 2002.

Bruce Oas, 47, who has worked part-time at the restaurant for 30 years, said a special bond exists between the staff and customers, many of whom are regulars. Before his death, Andrew Wyeth was a frequent visitor, a habit he passed on to his granddaughter, Victoria Wyeth.

Oas said such relationships will help the restaurant rebound.

"We'll be back," he predicted as fellow employees nodded.

His boss agreed.

"That's my intention," Roger Steward said, shaking his head. "It's my baby; this is like losing a family member."

Contact staff writer Kathleen Brady Shea at 610-696-3815 or kbrady@phillynews.com.