“Without this community I would have never opened back up,” Lopez said.
Firefighters responded to a call of smoke billowing out of the store, 619 E. High St., in December. A fire that started on a stove destroyed most of the inside of the restaurant, fire officials said.
The damage mounted to more than $20,000, Lopez said, and she didn’t have insurance on the building at the time.
Less than 24 hours after the fire was put out, people and other local businesses started asking Lopez how they could help her re-build, she said.
“Out of tragedy people that I didn’t even know stepped up,” Lopez said.
An online, fundraising campaign collected $8,000 for her cause, according to the website.
Springfield businesses like Bada Bing Pizza, City Electric Supply, Guerras Krazy Taco, and Gordon Food Service also donated equipment and labor, Lopez said.
Much of the inside needed to be replaced or heavily cleaned after the smoke cleared from the fire, Lopez said.
Neighbors helped shovel rubble from the fire damage, she said, and others provided no-cost installation of new floors, electric and dry wall.
“It really has been overwhelming — I’ve been so emotional,” Lopez said of the generosity of the community.
Other help came from city and county leaders, Lopez said, such as when Clark County Auditor John Federer approached the business owner to tell her about tax breaks she could apply for because of the fire.
Faithful customers lined up outside the walk-up windows and waited in the drive-thru to get their food and ice cream fix Wednesday at lunch time.
“I come here just about every other day,” said Rod Wight, of Springfield, who works nearby the store.
Ted Lyburtus grabbed a milkshake and coney dog and said he had been waiting for weeks for the re-opening.
“It says a lot about the other businesses around here; the community coming together just to help (Lee Ann) out, that’s great,” Lyburtus said.
Lopez will celebrate 12 years at the East High Street business on April 26.
Many customers called Lee Ann’s Dairy Delight a Springfield staple.
“I’m glad to see her back on her feet,” said Steve Rollins, who bought ice cream for his grandson.
Lopez said she never imagined the community would be so supportive in a time of need.
“I love Springfield, I’ve grown up here and been here all my life and I wouldn’t go any place else,” Lopez said.
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