FORT SMITH, Ark. — Over $23,000 was raised to support the employees of Bricktown Brewery, a business located in a historic Fort Smith building that was destroyed by a fire earlier this month.
AJ's Oyster House alongside other local businesses stepped up to help their community members who were without a job unexpectedly.
"Losing your job anytime, but especially before the holiday season, I just can't really imagine," AJ's Oyster House manager Destiney Cameron said. "It's something you never expect to happen."
On Nov. 17, the restaurant hosted a fundraiser with food, music, donations, and a silent auction to benefit the employees of Bricktown Brewery.
Following the event, AJ's Oyster House announced the community raised $23,867 for employees who were left without a job after the fire. If you were unable to attend, the restaurant said you can still stop by any First National Bank or mail a check to the "Bricktown Employee Benefit."
The Bricktown Brewery manager will distribute the money to the employees.
While the community has supported the employees of Bricktown, there is not much that can be done for the historic building that housed Adelaide Hall. Out of safety concerns, building owner Rick Griffin and city officials have decided to demolish the building.
Fortunately, Griffin said they plan to rebuild it while maintaining its historic look. When it is rebuilt, Griffin hopes that Bricktown Brewery can continue operations there.
"We're working with Bricktown Brewery to bring them back and get them back in business as quickly as we can because we want the new building to have some connections to the old building," Griffin said.
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