Dishes of India, Dunkin Donuts reopen in Belle View Shopping Center

November 4, 2019 Business and Development
A sign on the front of Roy Rogers last week.

Dishes of India and Dunkin’ Donuts have reopened in the Belle View Shopping Center, nearly two weeks after a six-alarm fire damaged more than a dozen businesses there.

Dunkin’ Donuts regained power on Saturday morning after having been without it since the fire. On Sunday they were able to open for business, according to a manager at the location. Dishes of India’s owner said they reopened on Sunday evening.

A few other businesses on the damaged wing of the shopping center were able to reopen last week as well, including Subway and Nails America. The Alexandria Music Company reopened during daytime hours shortly after the fire, although the lack of power forced their lessons to be taught elsewhere.

But many businesses in the shopping center remain closed. Yido Ramen & Sushi and Bellevew Cleaners suffered the most damage in the blaze, and are shut down indefinitely. GolfTec, Wine & Design, Roy Rogers and Spokes Etc. sustained less damage than the restaurant and cleaners, but nevertheless remain closed indefinitely according to signs on the businesses and social media postings.

A message on Wine & Design’s Facebook page last week said they expect to be closed for at least a month. The Eagle and Empire Game Shop also remains closed as repairs continue.

“While the damage to the shop itself was not devastating, a significant portion of the store merchandise was damaged or ruined,” read a message on a GoFundMe page setup by Eagle and Empire’s owner. “The shop will need significant work done to repair the smoke and water damage and to replace damaged fixtures.”

The Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce is administering a relief fund for employees and businesses affected by the October 21 fire, which was broke out in the kitchen of one of the businesses. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department has not named the specific business. However the entrances of Yido Ramen & Sushi and the Belleview Cleaners remained boarded up as the investigation into the specific cause continues.

The fire department estimated damage to the shopping center to be roughly $5.8 million.

To make a donation to the emergency relief fund, click here.