Local Bronx Optical Center reopens one year after devastating fire
With the help of the community and local leaders, Jessica Betancourt was able to reopen her optical shop just one block away from its original location.
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A grand reopening is marking one year since a devastating fire destroyed a strip of businesses in University Heights.
It was one year ago today when a five-alarm fire tore through several storefronts along Jerome Avenue and West Burnside Avenue, destroying six businesses.
Now, one of those businesses is back.
For Jessica Betancourt, owner of Bronx Optical Center, the day she reopened her store is a dream come true.
“Such an overwhelming positive experience here to come back home and see every patient telling me, ‘We were waiting for you,’” Betancourt said.
Betancourt said she watched in disbelief as flames consumed the business she had run for seven years.
“I just went to the floor and started crying,” she said. “My whole life — I saw it in one minute going down the drain.”
With the help of the community and local leaders, Betancourt was able to reopen her optical shop just one block away from its original location.
She said the rebuilding process was long and difficult, but worth it.
“I didn’t see the end of the construction, but wow,” she said.
No repairs have been made yet at the original row of storefronts that burned down. However, some displaced businesses are staying in the area. A phone store that was destroyed has relocated across the street, and a nearby bodega recently received a license to open another storefront on the block.
Betancourt said she is grateful to be back serving the community.
“I never thought that I would be standing here one year later,” she said. “I’m very grateful. I’m very blessed to have this beautiful space here for the community.”
She says she hopes more customers will return now that they see the store has reopened.
