Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Before and Almost After ~ To New Beginnings


A few weeks before Christmas there was a huge fire a few blocks away. It destroyed several old buildings, all of which housed restaurants, funky coffee shops and hip clothing. Read about it here.

It was several more weeks before I could take these photos of what was left behind from the fire.

The photo below is where the Mexican restaurant, Zocalo used to be. I never had a chance to try it.
Just the other side of Zocalo was a funky coffee shop called Lugz. It had a long and loyal following.
The photos below show the remains of two long standing restaurants: Slickity Jim's Chat n Chew and the wonderful, Kishu (Japanese restaurant). The Kishu is a chain of japanese restaurants in the City and this particular one did not have a website of it's own.

Somewhere along the line I did take some photos of food I ate at the Kishu. The food there was always tasty and also good for the budget.


Yesterday, as I was on an errand, I saw these scenes ...

A lot of clearing has gone on since Christmas. I am eager for the rebuilding to take place and I do hope the previous owners are able to continue with business though I see that Slickity Jim's Chat n Chew is now permanently closed.

The hip clothing store was affected by smoke damage but was able to re-open within days at a location just a few doors down. I am not sure what all the others owners and staff have ended up doing but whatever it is, I know it must be trying times and I send out positive thoughts and prayers for their rebuilding efforts in these recessionary times.

I also send out my best wishes and prayers for each of you my blogging friends and your families. May God hold you close in the palm of His great hand in 2010. May He give you a blessed New Year despite whatever raging circumstances there may be around you, as you keep your heart and mind focussed on Him; the great and sovereign Creator God.


The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Numbers 6:24-26




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9 comments:

Notes From The Frugal Trenches said...

What a lovely scripture verse!

Sarah said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time! Thank you for the beautiful verse! I do hope this year is truly special. xoxo

Joyful said...

Thank you NFTFT. It is a verse just for you and all my readers. God bless <3

Joyful said...

Hi Sarah, I had a great time visiting family at Christmas and a quiet New Year's Eve at home. I love the verse so I'm glad you like it too and I'm wishing you a wonderful New Year xx

Mary-Laure said...

How DEVASTATING it must be to lose everything to a fire...

Joyful said...

Mary-Laure, you are so right about the devastation one must feel to lose everything in a fire. I myself experienced a fire on Mother's Day just half a year ago. We have only recently moved back in, replaced much of the furniture and I am still eliminating things and trying to get reorganized. I just hope the people in these restaurants had business insurance but I'm afraid their many employees would have lost their jobs and their wages. I pray they will all have a fresh and good start wherever they may be.

Joyful said...

Mary-Laure, you are so right about the devastation one must feel to lose everything in a fire. I myself experienced a fire on Mother's Day just half a year ago. We have only recently moved back in, replaced much of the furniture and I am still eliminating things and trying to get reorganized. I just hope the people in these restaurants had business insurance but I'm afraid their many employees would have lost their jobs and their wages. I pray they will all have a fresh and good start wherever they may be.

Joyful said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time! Thank you for the beautiful verse! I do hope this year is truly special. xoxo

Joyful said...

What a lovely scripture verse!

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