COLUMBUS, Ohio — Demetrius Howard and Randy Keyes had the entire 2023 planned out with their restaurant FishBurger, reeling in more customers and putting more smiles on faces.
Their restaurant, which sits on East Livingston Avenue, started in October 2021.
“We just put our minds together, he had a great product, and I had some funds, and we were able to put it together,” Howard said.
They sold their famous fish burger. “We've developed a lot of great relationships, and met a lot of great people,” he said.
But on Sunday, their new year would start in a disappointing way.
Howard said he got a call that a car was smashed into one of the sides of the building.
10TV went out to the restaurant, and on Friday it was boarded up and surrounded by police tape.
Howard said thankfully no one was injured.
What’s most concerning is it’s a family-run business and their main source of income. Since Sunday they haven’t been able to work.
Howard said he isn’t sure what the next few months will have in store for the restaurant.
He said they’re hoping one day they can reopen the doors and get back to reliving their dream.
"As long as we got God in our hearts and support in the community, we're always going to be good. It's just a matter of whether we return to that location which I really hope we truly do,” said Howard.
They’ve created a GoFundMe to help employees during this time. If you would like to help, click here.