J. Baldwin's restaurant in Clinton Township destroyed by fire

Owner says he'll rebuild, hopes to be back hope by end of summer

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Construction crews from Jarvis Property Restoration have been working through the night, boarding up what's left of J. Baldwin's Restaurant in Clinton Township.

The Clinton Twp. Fire Department confirms that an electrical fire started in the roof of the restaurant, sparking the flames around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

"It happened around closing time, my manager called me as he was locking up the door because he smelled smoke," said head chef and owner, Jeff Baldwin.

Baldwin and his wife, Rose, opened The restaurant on Garfield Road near 18 Mile Road in 2004.

From catering, to monthly cooking classes and hosting charity events and known for their stone fired pizza, J. Baldwin's has become a staple in the Clinton Township community.

"I am devastated, heart broken," said Baldwin. "My wife and I built this from the ground up."

The outside structure of restaurant appears hardly damaged compared to the dining area.

The buildings insulation ripped out of the walls and soaked from fire hoses.

The dinner tables are covered with the crumbling celling.

The restaurant will need to be rebuilt from the inside out, leaving dozens of employee's out of work.

"I plan to keep my employees working in our catering department and off site events, they are like family," said Baldwin.

Baldwin plans to rebuild, not only for his employees but for the community.

He hopes to have J. Baldwin Restaurant open by the end of summer. 

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