O’Rourke’s Diner closed indefinitely last week after fire damaged much of the building’s interior. Since the blaze on Aug. 30, community members both near and far have rallied support for the Main Street landmark, donating time, expertise, money, and emotional support to owner Brian O’Rourke as he assesses his restaurant’s future.
According to the Hartford Courant, O’Rourke’s did not have fire insurance. Negotiating the tangle of building codes could also prove difficult, as the diner, which opened in its present location in 1947, fails to meet many modern building standards.
Jen Alexander ’88, director of Kidcity Children’s Museum, and Neil Alan, owner of Pelton’s Home Health Care on Main Street, launched a website (www.orourkesdiner.com) which has served as home base for the O’Rourke’s support movement.
“I was talking to [Neil Alan], and I said, ‘There has to be a way to express to Brian [O’Rourke] how important he is to us. Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a website where we could write to Brian and put people on a mailing list to help?’” Alexander said. “By 3 p.m. [Thursday] he had the thing done. We got the thing live at 5 p.m., and five minutes later we had a post from Egypt.”
The website features links to news articles, suggestions for support, and user postings of favorite O’Rourke’s memories.
“To all my friends, patrons and extended family who have supported me over the years and who surround me with positive energy in this difficult time, thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul,” O’Rourke has posted on the website. “If I’m meant to be on Main Street I’ll be there.”
While no set budget has been estimated for the reconstruction, O’Rourke’s devotees quickly sought ways to donate funds. According to Alexander, Jane McMillan of Howard and McMillan Trustees has set up a fund for donations. According to orourkesdiner.com, donations will be returned if O’Rourke does not arrive at a reconstruction plan by Sept. 30.
Alexander noted the range of non-monetary donations.
“Somebody donated a demolition crew, some people donated a dumpster, the city donated storage space,” she said. Additionally, according to the Courant, local architect Jeffrey Bianco has lent his services to O’Rourke’s.
Both this coming weekend and next, O’Rourke’s staff will be hosting a pancake breakfast outside the diner. Additionally, on Sept. 16, St. John’s church will host a large fundraiser featuring meals cooked by O’Rourke’s staff.
As for the Wesleyan community, Alexander encouraged their involvement.
“There are two or three things that Wesleyan students can do right now,” she said. “First, Brian needs our moral support right now. He needs to hear how we feel about him. Second, put your name on a mailing list. And finally, come to the fundraisers,” she said.
The University is still investigating possible direct support for O’Rourke’s.
“We have been letting alumni know about the event and pointed them toward the website that was created,” said Director of Media Relations David Pesci. “We are also talking with the folks behind the efforts to rebuild and re-open the restaurant to see what appropriate help the University can provide.”
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