Sydney’s Frozen Custard & Wood-Fired Pizza burns

 

Firefighters were called to a fire at a popular summer eatery in Grand Marais on Monday, April 10.

Sydney’s Frozen Custard & Wood Fired Pizza suffered heavy damage from an angry blaze that threw thick grey smoke into the air for over an hour.

Bruce Block, a building contractor and owner of Sydney’s, said the building was a total loss.

“That morning, I shook hands to sell the business, but I was feeling like I had sold one of my children. I was heading out of town to the State of Washington, where I was going to buy a sailboat, and I was praying, asking God if I was supposed to go through with the sale, when I got the phone call that the building was on fire,” said Block.

When asked if he had any idea about what caused the blaze, Bruce said he suspected squirrels might have chewed through electrical wiring. He said the night before he had found a chewed-up bottle of Hershey chocolate sauce caused by squirrels. “But I really don’t know. I guess we will have to wait to see what the Fire Marshall says.”

 

Sydney’s was named after Bruce and Pam Block’s youngest daughter. The business started as a custard shop 21 years ago, but its’ menu has grown to include Chicago-style hotdogs, pita wraps, wood-fired pizza, Vienna hot dogs, gyros, salads and more.

According to the report from Sheriff Pat Eliasen, “At 11:09 a.m., the call came that there was smoke coming from the back of the building. Grand Marais Fire, First Responders, Maple Hill Fire, and Cook County North Shore ambulance were paged at 11:10 a.m. Lutsen Fire was paged at 11:17 a.m. for mutual aid. At 11:20 a.m., the Grand Marais lineman was disconnecting the power. The Cook County Sheriff ’s Office evacuated parties from the surrounding buildings on the north and south sides of the burning structure and kept people out of the Artist Point area. There was fire throughout the building at 11:39 a.m., which made going strictly defensive. The Minnesota Duty Officer was notified at 11:50 a.m.

“Mop up and checking for hotspots started at 12:29 p.m. Lutsen Fire was released at 1:24 p.m. Ambulance was released at 1:51 p.m. Maple Hill Fire was released at 1:47 p.m.

“There were no injuries, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Minnesota Fire Marshall’s Office. This is all the information that will be distributed until the investigation has been completed.”

Located at 14 S. Broadway Avenue, the eatery typically opens in May and usually closes at the end of October.

While Sidney’s appears to be a total loss, the fire also damaged a neighbor’s fence and 8×12 shed. John and Joan Haluska own the house next to Sidney’s on the Coast Guard side of town.

“I haven’t been able to look at things closely,” said John. “The roof (of the shed) is burned through, as is the back wall, the one facing Sidney’s.

Not sure about the contents. Lots of skis. Canoe and kayak gear.

Tools. Fishing gear. Bicycles.

The wall on the lakeside is burned.

Maybe 20’ to 30’ of the fence is burned.

The fence offered fire protection to the shed for quite a while.

The Walker Bay dinghy appears to be destroyed. Not sure about my kayaks,” said Haluska.

On the other side of Sydney’s, the wind blew thick smoke over The Red Pine Realty building. So far, there is no word of damage to that building.

As for Block, while he had a handshake deal to sell Sydney’s, papers still needed to be signed. Following the fire, he is contemplating rebuilding and continuing with the business, but he added, “I think I am on the right path, but I need to think about it. Three years ago, I was driving into Grand Marais to give Nate Hingos a bill for working on the roof of the Crooked Spoon. When I got to town, Nate’s business was on fire, and he was standing next to me, and I gave him a big hug. When I returned to town yesterday (the day of the fire), the first person I saw was Nate, who gave me a big hug. It’s kind of fantastical. As I look at the hideous black mess, I’m at peace despite all of the years and work I put into the building and business. What comes next? I’m not sure, but I’m going to listen and wait. I feel like what happened was an admonition from God. And as I said, I am at peace with all of it.”

The fire occurred almost three years to the day from the blaze that destroyed three businesses. On April 13, 2020, the Picnic & Pine, The Crooked Spoon Café and White Pine North all burned to the ground, and none of the structures have been replaced.