A fire closed Ted Drewes Frozen Custard at its Chippewa Street site (aka Route 66) in St. Louis today.
However, it seems the blaze was minor, and the stand likely will reopen by early evening.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported the fire started in the attic about noon today, and firefighters put it out quickly.
The newspaper and Ted Drewes’ Facebook page said the walk-up restaurant will likely reopen at 6 p.m. today.
Photographs from Brent Jones show roof damage on one side of the building, caused either by the fire or the firefighters hacking it open to reach the flames.
I sure hope firefighters didn’t use that frozen custard to douse the fire. I’d be like this if I saw that occurring.
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard has operated in St. Louis since 1930, and is often cited as one of the best ice cream stands in America. The Chippewa site has operated since 1941.
UPDATE: Ted Drewes’ Facebook page said it won’t reopen until Monday, probably at 11 a.m.
UPDATE2: Here’s a report about the fire from KMOV-TV in St. Louis:
https://youtu.be/c7xWUvawm3s
And, as previously mentioned, Ted Drewes reopened at 11 a.m. Monday.
(Image of the Ted Drewes Frozen Custard neon sign by Joseph via Flickr)
Thank god, the fire didn’t destroy my favorite ice cream joint on route 66. It’s my fav place to stop in st. Louis while traveling 66. I hope the damages aren’t too expensive!