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By Colin Mixson
Brooklyn Daily
Cherry Hill Gourmet is back open just a day after a two-alarm fire in Sheepshead Bay’s the historic Lundy’s building forced an evacuation on Thursday.
The fire started in a charcoal barbecue in the market’s kitchen, but produced more smoke than flames.
“I wouldn’t even call it a fire,” said general manager Gokhan Cick.
The heavy smoke that filled the store forced the beloved Emmons Avenue market to toss out two truckloads of inventory, but it was restocked and ready to reopen bright and early Friday morning, according to Cick.
“Sure we’re open,” said Cick, “of course!”
Cherry Hill Gourmet has a history of bouncing back quickly, reopening just three weeks after Superstorm Sandy devastated the neighborhood, while most other food stores in the area took months to come back. As one of the few places in the area to buy quality food in the aftermath, Cherry Hill’s fast return endeared the market to a community that was left isolated and underserved for much of the winter following the storm.
The fire started at about 9:30 am Sept. 19 and spread through the vents to the rooftop. Firefighters were able to bring it under control after an hour and a half. The only reported injury was a firefighter sent to the hospital with an injured foot.