Work To Begin On Larry’s PX; June Opening Eyed

WEST CHATHAM – Four months after a vehicle crashed through the front of Larry’s PX, causing extensive damage and injuries to several staff and patrons, repair work is about to get underway at the popular diner.

 “It’s a huge relief to be able to get in there,” said owner Jay Case on Monday. A contractor was set to begin assessing conditions in the restaurant at the Shop Ahoy Plaza in West Chatham after the premises were finally released by insurance companies.

 “That took a lot of time,” said Case, noting that a number of different interests were involved, including insurers for the driver and injured parties.

 Right now he’s planning an early June opening. Contractors are lined up to do electrical, plumbing and other work necessary to get the restaurant up and running again.

 On Nov. 27, a vehicle drove through the restaurant’s front entrance, squeezing between two bollards that were meant to prevent just that eventuality. The vehicle ended up at the kitchen, injuring Larry’s employee Leah Moxam and a patron. Moxam’s injuries were severe and she has undergone multiple surgeries, Case said, adding that she’s “turned a corner” but will feel the impact from the accident for many years.

 Assistance for Larry’s staff and owners poured in from the community, with Pals For Life, a nonprofit that helps members of the hospitality and service industries, providing financial and other support. A fundraiser at Knots Landing raised more than $60,000, and a GoFundMe campaign and other contributions brought the total to more than $170,000.

 “That has really supported them,” Case said of his staff. “They call me every day and can’t wait to get back to work.”

PFL and the community have been “outstanding,” Case said. “They’ve done some great work in supporting the employees and supporting Sue and I. But we want to get the restaurant up and going. It’s important to the town.”

 Some work, chiefly a new floor, has already been done on the side of the restaurant that wasn’t impacted by the accident. But the main entrance area has to be completely restored, all the way back to the kitchen, including a new floor, which requires moving heavy equipment. The service window at the kitchen has to be replaced, along with tables and countertops that were crushed. 

 For many years Larry’s only closed two days a year, so this is also an opportunity to spruce things up a bit. 
 “It’s refreshing to see a new floor,” Case commented, “something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”

 While getting Larry’s open is important in terms of its staff, it’s also important for the community. The eatery is something like “the town’s break room” for a lot of local residents and workers, Case said. 

 “You don’t realize it until people stop you and tell you how much they need you to open,” he said.

 A more firm opening date will be known once the contractor is able to get in, clear out debris, and assess what needs to be done. 

 “We’re not going to change it a lot,” Case said. “We’re going to freshen up, give it a new coat of paint, new counters. We’ll keep it as close to the old Larry’s as possible.”