‘We will rebuild’: Salt Lake City businesses damaged in Main Street fire plan next steps
Aug 12, 2025, 5:08 PM | Updated: Aug 13, 2025, 3:40 pm
Salt Lake City Fire Community Relations Division Chief Bob Silverthorne hugs a co-owner of Whiskey Street and White Horse after retrieving an American flag that survived a fire that destroyed both businesses in downtown Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Whiskey Street, White Horse, London Belle and Los Tapatios were all destroyed in the fire on the 300 block of South Main Street on Monday night. Behind them, Whiskey Street and White Horse co-owners Matt Crandall and Jason LeCates also embrace. The flag had been hanging on a wall of Whiskey Street since it had opened in 2013. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Businesses destroyed by Monday night’s fire on Salt Lake City’s Main Street are trying to figure out their next steps.
Fire officials said the fire started around 8:30 p.m. in the kitchen of the London Belle. The fire would eventually burn five businesses, including Whiskey Street, White Horse, the London Belle, and Los Tapatios.
The owner of Whiskey Street and White Horse, Jason LeCates, told KSL-TV that when he heard about the fire and finally got there, there was nothing he could do.
[I] just kind of watched,” LeCates said. “[You] couldn’t even see through the smoke, it was so thick. You could just see the aerial attack from the two ladder trucks. [It was] basically all you could see.”
Through tears, he said it is devastating to lose his life’s work, which he said has been such a pivotal part of Main Street’s resurgence.
“It’s really sad to see what helped contribute to that go up in flames,” LeCates said.
Help for employees impacted by Main Street fire
LeCates said he wants to do what he can to support his employees. He is already working with insurance, and trying to get money for payroll so he can get his employees paid while they figure out their next steps.
The fire caused more than $5 million in damage to these nighttime favorites, but the owners of the bars and restaurants are not giving up on their businesses.
Executive Director at the Downtown Alliance Dee Brewer said they are focused on rebuilding the businesses.
“We expect that the facades can be preserved, but the damage is extensive inside,” Brewer said. “The city is committed to fast tracking all of the permitting, construction, and remediation that needs to happen there.”
Brewer said it is devastating to lose the buildings, but also the history.
“These buildings were built between 1910 and 1920,” Brewer said. “They have been a staple of small business since that time.”
Brewer said his team will also be supporting the nearby businesses along that block that may have lost power or may need a day to get things back up and running.
And LeCates said this is not where the story ends.
“I’m not going to let this beat us,” LeCates said. “We worked way too hard for this. This is blood, sweat, and tears. This is my life’s journey …We will rebuild. Absolutely. 100%”
LeCates is not the only one with plans to restore their business. The London Belle posted on Facebook, “We hope to see you all for another round in the future. Guess we really did have the hottest vibes in SLC.”
