LAND O' LAKES, Fla. — Workers at Ukulele Brand’s Restaurant were washing dishes when a food truck and SUV both slammed through the wall where they were standing on Jan. 25th.
Bartender Kjerstin Goggin was working that night.
“Thank god nobody was killed. Literally, three people were standing right where the wall imploded. You kinda just go into shock, and, 'Is everyone ok?'" she said.
“How no one died, I have no clue. No clue. There were bricks. Our dishwasher flew 20 feet. It was horrible," said general manager Jennifer Fischer.
Ukulele’s has become a local landmark in Land O’ Lakes on US 41 after being there for 20 years.
But now they are trying to rebuild. The crash knocked out a wall and did structural damage too, closing the restaurant on Jan. 27.
“The inspector from the county was here that evening and put stickers on all the walls that it’s not safe," said Fischer.
It could be at least another month before Ukulele Brand’s is able to open again, and in the meantime, management said the owner has been paying employees minimum wage out of his own pocket to help them get by.
“That was the owner’s main concern. He’s not concerned with himself. He’s got 45 employees that depend on their income from here all instantly without a job," said Fischer.
The wall has been replaced, but there is still a lot of work to do before Ukulele Brand's can reopen and put everyone back to work.
So the community is stepping in, too. A benefit will be held Saturday as the owners of the Ukulele Brand’s work to get their business back open.
The benefit will be for the restaurant workers left without a job and is being put together by Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Lawyers along with the Rotary Club of Land O’Lakes.
“The amount of support that we have got from neighbors. From customers. From strangers. It’s overwhelming in a sense. And it gives you…there’s still good in the world," said Fischer.
Food and drinks are being donated, and some local musicians are also donating their time to provide entertainment.
“It’s going to be different. It’s going to be great. We will have a whole brand new kitchen and be ready to rock," said kitchen manager Brian Korby.
The event is billed as family-friendly and will be held at 4805 Land O’ Lakes Boulevard from 12 p.m. to eight p.m.
