‘It’s more than losing our job;’ Employees react after popular local breakfast spot burns down

DAYTON — A popular breakfast spot in Dayton was destroyed after catching fire early Thursday morning.

Dayton firefighters were dispatched around 5:30 a.m. to the Legacy Pancake House at the 1500 block of N. Keowee Street.

Fire officials say the business, which has been around since the 60′s, is a total loss.

Nancy Maybury, a co-owner of the Legacy Pancake House, told News Center 7 she found out the building had caught fire after seeing a photo.

“The building was a ball of fire,” she said.

Maybury said the business was one big family.

>> PHOTOS: Longtime Dayton business destroyed after fire Thursday morning

“All of our customers have been coming by to hug us and we’ve all been sharing stories. It’s just, it’s a big family. We have the most loyal customers, loyal staff, and community the community has gotten through everything,” Maybury said.

One of the Legacy Pancake House’s servers, Michele Campos, said her job was home for her.

“It’s like a funeral today and it really, really is. It really is. I am going to miss everyone,” Campos said.

She and the other servers are all now out of a job they love.

“We’re all pretty broken about it and it’s more than losing our job. It really is like, not going to be working with each other anymore and not having the customers anymore,” Campos said.

The only thing people can be grateful for is that no one was hurt.

“This is all tangible. Some things can’t be replaced like relationships and things like that. But hopefully, something good will come out of this tragedy,” Maybury said.

The building has stayed standing through the Memorial Day tornadoes and open through the pandemic, but this fire has officially closed the doors.

As of right now, owners are unsure if the building will be rebuilt and open back up.

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