‘It’s a total loss’: Local restaurant asking for community’s help to reopen after fire

CHARLOTTE, NC —  For Paula Brown, the days following the fire that severely damaged her restaurant Cocoa’s Jamaican Jerk have been devastating. 

“It’s a total loss right now with the mold and mildew and everything in there. There’s nothing that can be salvaged,” Brown said. 

Fire inspectors determined the fire was accidental and caused by an electrical issue.

 It caused more than $55,000 worth of damage which Brown said her insurance will not come close to covering.

“Unfortunately, it’s probably not even going to cover 25% of my loss,” Brown said. 

For Brown the loss is more than just a restaurant – Cocoa’s was more like a second home. 

“I built this restaurant on my back, each and everything hand-picked, hand-carved, and it’s all gone.  I can’t even put a monetary value on what I’ve lost there. That’s what’s so upsetting,” Brown said. 

 Brown said it was also a business that brought positivity onto Sugar Creek Road, an area that has seen an uptick in crime in recent years.

 “We know we make a big impact because not only do we bring positive things, but people have a lot of respect for me and the restaurant and that alone brings positivity,” Brown said. 

Brown said it was also a safe space for the community and she would often feed the homeless and provide jobs for young people in the community. 

“So many community relationships, business relationships and I felt like right now, I feel like the rug was just pulled from under my feet.”

For someone who has given so much to her community, Brown is now asking for others to return the favor hoping to raise enough money to be able to rebuild. 

“So anything you can reach in and give and donate, come up and help us clean it out. Anything we’ll take anything. I’ll even take hugs and kisses. That’ll work for me.” 

If you would like to donate the Go Fund can be found here