UPDATE: Angie's Restaurant to Open Friday

After being closed for just over a month, , a Main Street staple in Chatham, is scheduled to open Friday, according to Louise Poulimenos.

The restaurant has been closed for a month after a fire mysteriously started in the back of the restaurant.

The rear and the kitchen of Angie's were damaged by fire, smoke and water, according to police.

Insurance covered about half the cost of the repairs and replacements for the restaurant, and Tony Britt and Lori Ann Medico set up a bank account for people to donate money to help cover the rest of the expenses.

"We wanted to start a collection to add to whatever insurance doesn't cover," Medico said. The owner of , a downtown Chatham clothing boutique, said people can use PayPal to deposit funds or drop off cash or checks at her store.

When a fire happens, Medico said, "you're not in control."

Most of the renovations at Angie's won't be seen from the dining room. The February fire damaged the kitchen and ourdoor area in the back of the restaurant, and owners Jimmy and Louise Poulimenos have replaced most of the area with new doors, new ceilings, new windows.

There is also a new stove, new shelves, new sink and new outdoor refridgeration unit. "All new, nice and clean," Jimmy Poulimenos said.

Every day since the Feb. 26 fire, the two have been at the restaurant. Poulimenos said the hours he put in to get the restaurant up and running again are even more extensive than the hours he works when the restaurant is open.

"Every day until 6 o'clock," he said. "People come by and say, 'When [will] you guys open? I miss you guys' ...

"I know my customers. They pass through, come in," despite the restaurant being closed, to offer their support. The outpouring from the community, he said "make[s] me cry."

In the time this reporter spent with Poulimenos, two customers stopped in to ask just that. Virginia Maguire said she was a "devoted customer" who came in to see the new kitchen.

"They're the greatest," Maguire said of Jimmy and Louise. "They deserve it all."

Ryan Williams, 13, stopped in after school to shake Jimmy's hand. Poulimenos hugged him and sent greetings to his parents.

"I remember when his mother was pregnant," Poulimenos said. "In almost 20 years here, I know so many people."

The day of the fire, Poulimenos and his wife left the restaurant at their usual time of about 3:15 p.m. after they closed Sunday. An hour and a half later, someone called in the fire and the responded to the scene.

"All the police and the guys who work for the town and the fire department," Poulimenos said, "they helped me a lot."

The cause of the fire is still undetermined, Poulimenos said. "We were very upset, me and my wife," and the two are looking forward to opening the luncheonette once again.

"This restaurant is my second home," Poulimenos said.