Monday marked six years since heavy winds and rain from Superstorm Sandy knocked a transformer onto Tony's Pier on City Island, causing a massive fire that burned down the entire restaurant.
The 2012 fire happened while the restaurant was closed, and no one was injured. The owners say bad memories come rushing back on this day each year.
It took them about a year for the owners to reopen the restaurant. They say they lost about $7 million in sales.
Tony's Pier had to be completely reconstructed in the aftermath of the storm. The owners say they were underinsured by about $2 million, which had to come out of their pockets. But they say it was never an option to close permanently because their father started the business about 50 years ago.
The owners say the restaurant was rebuilt 5 feet elevated off the ground in correspondence with FEMA code. They say business is still not like it was before the storm, but they are thankful for the loyal customers who have continued coming back.