Fire damage keeps Cha Chis closed; owners hope to re-open in months

Rather than the smell of taco meat, rice, and beans, the smell of smoke and moisture lingered in the air at Cha Chis Mexican Grill Tuesday.

It could be weeks, or months, before the scent of freshly-made food fills the restaurant again.

The eatery closed last week after a fire tore through the historic downtown building next door along Third Street. The fire appeared to have started in the attic and was contained before spreading to the building owned by Cha Chis owners Roman Freyre and his wife, Natalia Istrati.

The building sustained extensive water and smoke damage to the two upstairs apartments and business, Freyre said, meaning the timeline for reopening is unclear.

For now, theyre just relieved no one was hurt and their restaurant, which they opened downtown in December 2011, was spared.

Were thankful the fire department knew what they were doing, Freyre said.

It was a little after midnight last Friday morning when Freyre was in the kitchen preparing for the nights weekend rush. He looked out the window and noticed it was foggy outside or at least he thought. A step outside proved different. Police had begun to gather. Fire trucks were on their way.

The reality of the situation hit him and soon he was rushing upstairs with keys in hand to get any apartment tenants out of the building.

But I have like 20 keys, he said.

An officer had followed him and was knocking on the door as Freyre fumbled to find the right key. No one was answering.

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Fire damage keeps Cha Chis closed; owners hope to re-open in months