Community Restaurant in Zeeland 'a total loss' after devastating fire

Cassandra Lybrink, The Holland Sentinel
·2 min read

ZEELAND — A decades-old restaurant was declared a total loss Wednesday morning following a devastating fire.

Zeeland Fire Chief Ross Tibbets told The Sentinel he was first to arrive at Community Restaurant — 421 E. Main Ave. — following a call around 11:08 p.m. Tuesday, April 12.

"Upon my arrival, we already had fire through the roof and, by looking through some of the windows, a fair amount of fire throughout the building," Tibbets said.

"We were there for several hours and, like any fire, we got to a point where we knocked the main body of the fire down, and then it's the tedious work of hotspots and little embers you can't just see."

A decades-old restaurant was declared a total loss Wednesday morning following a devastating fire.
A decades-old restaurant was declared a total loss Wednesday morning following a devastating fire.

Tibbets said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

More: Community Restaurant in Zeeland under new ownership

The restaurant was owned and operated by Lyle Van Klompenberg for years before his son, Korde, purchased the business with longtime employee Barry Elzinga in 2020.

"To our friends, coworkers, family, customers, we are devastated to inform you that Community Restaurant had a fire tonight and the building is a total loss," the business wrote on social media around 4 a.m. Wednesday.

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"We are in shock and have no idea what our future holds, but also thankful that the fire happened after hours with no one in the building and there were no injuries or worse. At this time there are many questions but until there is an investigation we can not speculate as to the cause.

Community Restaurant was owned and operated by Lyle Van Klompenberg for years before his son, Korde, purchased the business with longtime employee Barry Elzinga in 2020.
Community Restaurant was owned and operated by Lyle Van Klompenberg for years before his son, Korde, purchased the business with longtime employee Barry Elzinga in 2020.

"We ask for your prayers for everyone affected as this will no doubt be a hard time in the weeks and months to come. Thank you so much EVERYONE for all your support, help, and encouragement over the past 2 years since we took over, and a massive THANK YOU for all the fire departments and emergency workers for your work and effort."

The community expressed its sorrow over the loss throughout the day Wednesday.

"Community Restaurant has been an integral part of Zeeland’s history that cannot be replaced," Zeeland marketing director Abby deRoo wrote in an email to The Sentinel. "With a business life spanning over four decades, the team at Community Restaurant has experienced more time downtown Zeeland than most.

The remains of Zeeland's Community Restaurant after a fire Tuesday, April 12.
The remains of Zeeland's Community Restaurant after a fire Tuesday, April 12.

"The restaurant stood on East Main as an anchor to the downtown district and community members and visitors came to rely on the familiar landmark. The volume of meals served and memories made over the past four decades is immeasurable and will be cherished."

— Contact reporter Cassandra Lybrink at cassandra.lybrink@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Instagram @BizHolland.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Community Restaurant 'a total loss' after devastating fire