CALEB NICKERSON
BRYSON Feb. 18, 2019
A Bryson entrepreneur is reeling after the roof of her restaurant caved in early last week due to built up snow.
Suzie’s Diner was located right in the heart of Bryson, situated in what was formerly the old Bryson movie theatre. Owner Suzie Romain-Pullen purchased the building back in 2013, with the intention of turning it into a cabaret style restaurant where patrons could take in a show along with dinner. At the time she operated the neighboring Café Canusa, a bakery and café.
Unfortunately, in January 2014, the building was gutted by a fire. Undeterred, Romain-Pullen was able to re-open the business as Suzie’s Diner in August of 2015.
“It’s hard,” Romain Pullen said. “The roof’s been the same since the fire. We’ve never had any problems with it, it never even leaked.”
The collapse deposited a heap of snow in the middle of the restaurant’s dining room. When THE EQUITY reached Romain-Pullen, she was working to remove the snow and salvage what’s still usable.
In addition to this latest setback, she added that the diner was burglarized late last year.
“I’m going to have to get a brand new roof for sure, or demo the whole building,” she said. “I’m not too sure what my plans are right now.”
Despite the harsh hand she’s been dealt, Romain-Pullen was optimistic and thanked the local community for their compassion.
“I’m very community supportive, so of course the community supports me,” she said. “I built it before, I can build it again.”
