Janes to reopen a year after fire

Vu Tran, owner of the popular Janes Seafood and Chinese Restaurant in New Iberia, walked around the rebuilt restaurant Tuesday with a smile on his face. The day hes been waiting for was almost near.

Ten months ago Tran and his family lost their restaurant to a fire. Reportedly, the only thing left standing after the blaze was the hostess station.

After almost $400,000 in construction, the restaurant is close to reopening.

The community has been a great help. They are anxiously waiting for the opening. Theyve been following our updates and theyre excited to have us back, said Tran as he walked around the restaurants construction site.

Its kind of nerve racking. I know its going to be crazy once we open, Tran said.

Tran said he was encouraged after the fire and planned on building the restaurant back bigger and better. The restaurant is certainly bigger with a 2,300-square-foot increase from its original size of 4,000 square feet, according to Tran.

Janes Seafood also will offer a private dining room and a full-scale oyster bar. Instead of just beer, Tran said customers will have a choice of mixed drinks as well.

We will serve oysters raw and charbroiled. Were also adding a grill so you can have grilled items, Tran said. I think the bar is going to be something different. I think people are really going to enjoy it.

Tran said the restaurant spent close to $100,000 on inventory, putting the total reconstruction process at close to a half million dollars.

Paul Migues with Migues Electrical said the restaurant is almost up and running with a few minor steps to go.

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Janes to reopen a year after fire