Community Corner

Customers, Employees Share Memories Of Gilbert's Lodge

Employees, customers and neighbors gathered in the parking lot of Gilbert's Lodge following the early morning blaze at the popular eatery, and online, to share their memories of the restaurant.

In the hours following the early morning blaze at Gilbert's Lodge, employees gathered in the parking lot of the landmark restaurant in St. Clair Shores to console each other and learn about incident which damaged the building.

“We are devastated. We are a family,” said Debbie DelPozzo, a server at Gilbert’s. “This is our livelihood. Now What?” 

Fire Chief George Morehouse said crews made an attack on the blaze through the front door.

Find out what's happening in St. Clair Shoreswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“They were fortunate they made the attack at the right time and the right place,” said Morehouse.  “Through their efforts, they knocked the fire down.”

He said the fire looked like it began in the kitchen and caused extensive smoke, soot and heat damage to the building.

Find out what's happening in St. Clair Shoreswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The south wall of the building was showing fatigue, but still standing.

Morehouse said that it didn’t appear to be suspicious, and the restaurant’s insurance company would decide the future of the building.

“I told the guys they did an excellent job,” he added. “For all intensive purposes it could have been a surround and drown (and fight the fire from the outside).”

Customers also posted their memories on the Patch Facebook page, including: 

  • Lisa Marie-Kowalczyk Perdue: I care. That's too bad. Sounds like it was pretty bad. Hopefully they can get it put back together, because that's a loss of jobs in our community. Glad no one was in there.
  • Elizabeth Clark: I would like to thank the fire fighters and public safety officers who assisted in putting out this fire. I probably speak for many when I say, I hope they recover quickly so we may enjoy the Gilberts we all love.
  • Sarah Johnson: I have so many happy memories that began or ended at Gilberts. This is very sad! I really hope they rebuild and come back.
  • Jennifer Stover: Thank god for insurance!!! They are a successful establishment they'll bounce back because our city supports each other during hardships they'll be better than ever

What are your favorite memories of Gilbert's Lodge? Share them in our comments section below. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here