SOUTH LYON, Mich. – The historic South Lyon Hotel in downtown South Lyon has reopened after being closed due to a fire that took place more than a year ago.
On June 23, 2016, the South Lyon Hotel was destroyed by a fire. On that day, many residents spoke with WDIV, emotionally telling us what the location meant to them and the community.
Almost 18 months later, it's back open for business.
"There's been a lot of things that have happened here," said South Lyon Mayor John Galeas. "Girlfriends, boyfriends, marriage proposals - it's one of those places everyone meets."
This is why it was difficult for the people of South Lyon to watch the hotel go up in flames in 2016.
"It was a crazy big chunk of your life," Jackie Fitzgerald, a bartender, said. "It was hard to break from that."
"Originally, we were debating whether we could salvage," said co-owner Corry Bala. "It made more sense structurally to start over"
Rebuilt to be in line with the original design, the new structure has a larger bar, more space and more amenities.
"We were full all day yesterday, all night last night and lunch was crazy today," said Bala "I would venture to say a couple thousand people have been in here."