Iconic Iota Eatery Destroyed By Fire

Since the 1930s residents of the town of Iota have been gathering at a site on Duson Avenue for various social engagements. In the 1930s the building at 226 Duson Avenue was a dance hall. In the 1950s the business, after a few other transformations,  transitioned into a restaurant and the iconic Snack Shak was born. On Tuesday, the building that housed the Snack Shak was destroyed by fire.

The restaurant which offered a wide variety of foods and beverages was a local gathering place for not only those who were hungry but for those who were interested in the goings-on about town. In a story about the fire that was published on the KLFY Television website, residents spoke of gathering for coffee at the Snack Shak each morning for the past 20 years.

As of now, there has been no official determination of what caused the fire at the building but from what we understand damage to the restaurant was significant. But we do understand that the owners of the business are planning to rebuild and reopen.

There is a local grassroots fundraising effort that is underway to help facilitate that rebuilding and reopening effort. The flower shop that is located next door to the Snack Shak is planning on holding barbeque fundraisers for the next three Saturdays.

The owners and employees of Sassy Frass Designs, the flower shop, say the money raised in those barbeque events will go to support employees who are now out of work because of the fire and to support the owners of the Snack Shak's efforts to rebuild.