After a beloved restaurant in the Black Hills burned down, ownership immediately had a plan – rebuilding. Now, that process begins.
The Sugar Shack, located in the Black Hills between Deadwood and Rapid City, burned down last year. The entire building was lost.
Now, owner Trevor Kautzman said it’s time to turn the page.
“Right away, we didn’t know what was going to happen," Kautzman said. "You never know, but we always wanted to rebuild. We love the Sugar Shack. There’s been a lot of support from locals. Everyone wants it up, so that’s what we’re trying to do.”
He said the fire was one of the biggest challenges he’s faced.
“I got the call from the people that live behind the Sugar Shack saying there were flames coming out, and that was that," Kautzman said. "I mean, I called dispatch and the people that lived behind me sent a picture and I knew it was gone by then.”
But Kautzman said they’re taking steps to move forward.
“We love everyones support, and we will be serving some food over at the general store next door to the Sugar Shack," Kautzman said. "So, if people want to come out and watch the Sugar Shack be built this summer, we will be there.”
He says ideally the restaurant will open before the Sturgis Rally, but a realistic timeframe is aiming for autumn.