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New Life for Burned Building

HONESDALE — When fire hit a landmark business in downtown Honesdale, many people feared the entire place would be torn down. Nearly 18 months later, a new...
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HONESDALE -- When fire hit a landmark business in downtown Honesdale, many people feared the entire place would be torn down.

Nearly 18 months later, a new owner has breathed life back into the property.

Travis Rivera has a few last touches left before his new coffee roasting business opens this weekend.

More than a year ago, the building where Black and Brass Coffee is located was in danger of burning to the ground. Flames engulfed the longtime Kinsman tractor business. Due to all the damage that business moved to a new location and a new owner started remaking the property on Main Street.

"It's a shame more couldn't be saved. The fact they were able to save this it's fantastic, it's phenomenal," said Rivera.

Rivera has a top-of-the-line roaster ready to fire up and intends to have standup comedy and live music.

"I love the space, love the brick, love the history of it," he said. "It's the revitalization of this space really ties it all together.

"This old building stays, it looks beautiful here," said Dave Harvey of Honesdale. "If no one has had freshly roasted coffee before, the difference between fresh roasted and stale is night and day."

The new owner couldn't save part of the building which was too badly damaged in the fire. Two businesses on the bottom floor on the right side were renovated and saved and two apartments upstairs are being renovated and open by next month.

"He completely renovated it from top to bottom, he was willing to put in whatever I needed," said Ashley Chyle.

Chyle was looking for a place downtown to cut hair. She opened Chyle's Classic Cuts downstairs. So while the building took a hit, there's now off-street parking and new businesses taking shape.

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