News - April 15, 2019 - by Ray Hagar

By Ray Hagar

Nevada Newsmakers

Don't wait for a quick re-opening for The Cafe at Adele's, after a recent fire severely damaged Carson City's landmark restaurant -- a favorite for those involved in the Nevada Legislature.

"We've gotten a range from anywhere from two to six months (before re-opening)," said Karen Abowd, who owns the restaurant with husband Charlie Abowd. "Until we know who we are going to be dealing with for the reconstruction aspect, it is hard for me to give anything definitive as of yet. We will have a meeting this week -- again -- and hopefully come to some conclusion."It seems like an ever-extending cycle but we're hoping this week, we will know something. It's the goal," she told Nevada Newsmakers.

The fire, in late March, did extensive damage to the back of the restaurant. There were no injuries and the fire is under investigation.The fire was reported at 5:19 a.m. by a security guard working for another company who saw smoke while passing the restaurant on North Carson Street, according to Carsonnow.org.

"The night before, we were just packed with legislators," Karen Abowd said. "And then to get woken up at 5:15 in the morning to hear the restaurant is on fire was devastating."

Damage was "extensive," Charlie Abowd told host Sam Shad.

"Thursday, March 28th, we had a fire in the laundry room area and so the restaurant suffered extensive smoke damage and fire damage to the back of the restaurant," he said. "So we are planning on our rebirth."

Repairs could be complicated because of the building's age, he said. The building was constructed in 1864, the year Nevada became a state.

The Abowds, who have owned the restaurant for more than 40 years, have an insurance policy that will help their employees financially while repairs are made.

"Fortunately, Charlie, in his wisdom, listened to his insurance agent way-back-when and our employees are taken care of because we have business-interruption insurance and they are handled," Karen Abowd said.

The Abowds put Adele's into the market in February of 2018, according to the Nevada Appeal. It will return to the market after reopening, they said.

"Right now, it is off the market. And right now, we're just moving forward with restoring," Karen Abowd said. "And then, you know, it'll go back on the market when our doors are open because we're not getting any younger. So at some point, we have to be real about the future, our future and the future of the restaurant."

Adele's biannual "Pig Party," a fete for the lobbyists at the Legislature, will go on as scheduled. It will, however, be moved to Mark Estee's The Union restaurant, also in Carson City, she said.

"Everyone wants to reach out and help in any way shape or form," Karen Abowd said. "Everyone is concerned about our employees, which I think is wonderful and of course the question is, how soon are you going to reopen? But the outreach and outpouring of sincere sadness of the fact that we can't have our doors open right now has really touched both of our hearts."

Charlie Abowd said the fire at Adele's has had a ripple effect across the region.

"We kind of know our place in the Nevada fabric and we know this has caused a lot of problems for a lot of people," he said. "I just got a phone call yesterday from a couple up in Bishop (Calif.), and its their 24th anniversary and they've always come to the restaurant and in fact, he proposed to his wife at the restaurant. There are a lot of events like that."

The Carson City restaurant was first opened by Paul and Adele Abowd in 1978, according to the Nevada Appeal and has long been operated by Charlie and Karen. Previously, it housed The Music Box.

 

Charlie Abowd told the Nevada Appeal that the fire may have started from the towels that were in the laundry room that may have absorbed cleaning chemicals.

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