West Columbia, S.C. Welcomes Maurice’s Piggie Park BBQ Back After Fire
It’s been just a week since a devastating three-alarm fire tore through the headquarters of Maurice’s Piggie Park BBQ in West Columbia, but the smell of smoky barbecue is back in the air! That’s right, the beloved BBQ chain has reopened its doors at several of its Midlands locations, much to the delight of loyal customers.
Fast Recovery Efforts
The fire may have put a temporary halt to operations, but it didn’t stop the hardworking team behind Maurice’s. On Saturday, three locations, including one right next to the fire site, welcomed back hungry patrons. This quick comeback is thanks to the relentless efforts of the staff, who have been putting in long hours to ensure their customers can still enjoy their favorite dishes.
“We’ve had to rent some smokers to smoke our meats, and we’ve had to rent some refrigerated trucks just for storage,” shared Lloyd Bessinger, the President and Co-Owner of Maurice’s. He went on to praise his family and the dedicated staff for all their hard work: “Our team is doing a great job at working hard and everybody is doing all they can.”
A Temporary Set-Up
While things are moving forward, there’s still a lot of work left to do. Bessinger shared that they have rented a large kitchen space where food preparation will take place in the coming week. “That’s one thing we’re going to be starting next week, and just the day-to-day details of smoking barbecue,” he explained. Though they are still figuring out the timeline for reopening all locations, the determination is palpable.
Community Support Shines Bright
The support from the community has been incredible. Many customers were thrilled to find the Charleston Highway location open. “We were all pretty happy when we saw the news yesterday that this spot was going to be reopened,” said local resident Justin Crolley. Even with a limited menu, he expressed happiness that they could still get their favorites: “We couldn’t tell, and everything we usually get is here.”
Tony Moultrie, a frequent diner at the location, emphasized the importance of keeping some locations operational. He highlighted how this allows the staff to continue earning during a tough time: “Fifty-two people work right there between here and the headquarters. With the holidays coming, they got money to spend during the holiday season, so I’m glad about that.”
How to Help
Although the timeline for full recovery remains unclear, Bessinger encouraged the community to support them in the meantime by purchasing their famous barbecue sauce and merchandise. Every little bit helps as they navigate the challenges ahead!
Investigation Update
As the BBQ chain works towards recovery, the investigation into the fire’s cause is still ongoing. Local authorities have yet to provide any updates, but many are hoping for clarity soon.
The return of Maurice’s Piggie Park BBQ symbolizes strength and resilience in the face of adversity, and the community’s support only makes it stronger. For now, customers are just happy to see those BBQ plates hitting the tables again, bringing comfort and joy after a hard week.
Undoubtedly, the spirit of BBQ is alive and well in West Columbia, and with the holidays just around the corner, there’s no better time to celebrate good food and community spirit!
