Doc’s Little Gem Diner, a landmark in Syracuse for over 50 years, sustained fire and smoke damage from a small fire on September 12. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year since its opening on September 1, 1955, the locally famous diner was forced to close its doors for the first time.

Fire investigators determined that the fire started outside the diner by a discarded cigarette that got lodged in the siding about an inch and a half above the ground. The morning after the fire, the owner of the diner consulted with his insurance company regarding the cleaning and repair and was referred to Stanley Steemer.

As a food service establishment, the Onondaga County Health Department provided the guidelines for the cleaning and restoration, which required the entire structure to be cleaned and disinfected from top to bottom in order to pass inspection.

Stanley Steemer began the day after the fire and completed the job after one week. In addition to removing the light smoke damage throughout the dining, storage and kitchen areas, Stanley Steemer was required to clean every soiled area, even if it was grease from the diner’s opening in 1955.

The reconstruction phase soon followed after approval from the Health Department.