Colorado Springs Gunther Toody’s diner back open after fire closed its doors 19 months ago

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - A Colorado Springs restaurant is back open after a fire closed its door over a year and a half ago.

11 News first covered the fire at the Gunther Toody’s, near Woodmen and Powers, in September of 2022. The Colorado Springs Fire Department reported an accidental, electrical fire, with one firefighter injured.

“It started in the back of the house, and then it spread to the front of the house, so there were quite a few things that were damaged,” said general manager Frankie Combs. “Putting the whole restaurant together and everything up on the walls, all brand new booths, brand new surfboards... it’s a work in progress putting those things together.”

About 30 staff members were without jobs due to the fire. “Many of them, at that time, went and found new jobs, other employment,” said Combs. “We did bring back a couple of employees, there were offers that were made also but, being that it was so long ago, a lot of them have moved into other positions.”

11 News was invited back to the reopening of the restaurant 19 months later. Many regulars are back in their favorite booths.

“My pastor and I have been meeting here for about 7 years,” said southern Colorado resident Gary McClendon. “I almost cried... The gal Skeeter who would wait on us, if she saw me pulling in the parking lot, I would walk in and the coffee and my water would be there... Skeeter, if you’re out there, we miss you!”

The grand reopening of Gunther Toody’s is Friday, April 12th, with half-priced cheeseburgers, chicken tenders and big boppers.

“I grew up in the 60s so a diner type atmosphere has always appealed to me,” said McClendon.