by Elisabeth Strillacci

RICHFIELD — At about 2 a.m. Monday morning, April 21, volunteers from the Pooletown Fire Department answered the call for a fire at a restaurant on the Rowan and Stanly County lines that is a local favorite.

The Getaway Restaurant, which was reportedly the Happy Days Tavern previously, sustained significant damage from a fire near the rear of the building.

Pooletown Fire Chief Ryan Barkley said the cause of the fire is still under investigation but he was glad to say no one was injured.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the owners,” he said.

In a Facebook post, owner Amy O’Brien expressed gratitude and determination.

“I want to thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers,” she wrote. “The firefighters that showed up and everyone that helped last night we can’t thank enough. We will rebuild and be back better than ever. We will make the Getaway great again.”

Customers from across Rowan and Stanly lamented the loss and offered good wishes for rebuilding. Some said they had heard “good things about this place and was planning to go,” and others said their “son comes all the way from Cadwell County to eat there.” One woman said she had just been there for dinner Saturday night. Another said they hoped the “beautiful wooden bar” survived.

Sentiments made it clear the restaurant is considered both a staple and a place for good food. Everyone offered prayers to owners and employees, and expressed hope that rebuilding will happen soon.