Local Institution Catches Fire

Manny’s Neighborhood Grille, a West Ashley institution for more than two decades, will be closed for at least the next month due to a fire last Wednesday in the bar area of the restaurant.
Or it could end up moving from its current home on Old Towne Road, according to owner Michael Stavrinakis.
According to restaurant management, it appears the fire had an “electrical” start in the bar, perhaps the result of an overloaded extension cord.
A fire alarm was sounded just after 1 a.m. and Saint Andrews and City of Charleston fire departments responded and the flames were extinguished in under an hour, according to police records. Official documents described the restaurant as suffering from “minor fire” damage, including water and smoke damage.
Stavrinakis said Thursday that he was considering “all options,” and that included moving the popular neighborhood restaurant or a complete rebuild and upgrade.
Stavrinakis stood outside the restaurant as employees worked to hose down and scrub tables and chairs in the parking lot outside the restaurant’s storefront. Set next to the chairs was a dumpster where damaged material was being discarded.
“Don’t worry, Manny’s is going to rise again,” said Stavrinakis.
Catering will be handled by the North Charleston restaurant for the next few weeks.