A Delaware pub is back open just over a week after a driver crashed through its front entrance, avoiding what could have been a far more serious incident had anyone been inside.
Two Stones Pub in Newark reopened Monday, Aug. 24, following a rapid cleanup and repair effort after a Mitsubishi Lancer crashed through the front of the business during the early morning hours of Aug. 15.
Despite the damage, no employees or customers were inside the pub at the time and no one was injured.
“First and foremost, we’re beyond grateful and relieved to know that no one on our amazing team was injured or even in the building when this happened,” Two Stones Pub said after the crash.
The restaurant initially announced it would remain closed while its team gathered information, cleaned up the damage and determined what repairs were necessary.
Just over a week later, however, it was ready to welcome customers back.
Pub Reopens After Rapid Repairs
Two Stones announced that contractors, electricians and painters had completed enough work for the Newark restaurant to reopen at 11:30 a.m. Monday.
“We’re amazed and grateful that all this got done in just about a week and we’re beyond excited to see you all again,” the pub wrote.
Co-owner Michael Stiglitz told CBS News Philadelphia that the damage inside the restaurant was repaired in a single weekend.
Some more work remains, though. The building’s permanent glass-and-aluminum storefront isn’t expected to be reinstalled until October, with a temporary door and exterior wall in place in the meantime.
The restaurant thanked the customers and community members who checked in and offered support during the unexpected closure.
“Thank you to everyone who reached out, checked in & shared kind words with us over the past week,” Two Stones said. “It really kept us going and we cannot overstate how much we appreciate it.”
“Put up a No Parking Sign Inside”
The speedy turnaround drew plenty of attention from customers on social media, including some who found humor in the unusual circumstances.
“Put up a no parking sign inside,” one commenter joked.
Another suggested the pub could put up a “no cars allowed” sign with a reminder that vehicles should remain outside.
Others were simply surprised by how quickly the restaurant recovered.
“Wow, that was fast!” one commenter wrote.
“Amazing work to get open a week later,” another said.
One particularly creative customer even suggested commemorating the incident with a special menu featuring a “Smashburger,” “crash hot potatoes” and “Parker (outside the) house rolls.”
Several customers said they were looking forward to returning, while others echoed the pub’s relief that nobody had been hurt.
What Happened?
Delaware State Police said troopers were called to Two Stones Pub at 1203 Christiana Road at approximately 1:30 a.m. Aug. 15 and discovered an unoccupied Mitsubishi Lancer that had crashed into the front of the building.
Troopers identified the suspected driver as 35-year-old Johnny Guzman of New Castle. They say he had been a customer at the pub earlier that night and had been asked to leave multiple times before he eventually got into the Mitsubishi, began driving away, and then accelerated and intentionally turned toward the pub’s front doors.
Guzman was later found walking along Christiana Road. Police said he showed signs of impairment and refused field sobriety tests.
Guzman later turned himself in and was charged with third-degree burglary, criminal mischief of $5,000 or more, driving under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of a property collision, malicious mischief by a motor vehicle, and related traffic offenses.
He was arraigned and released on a $2,650 unsecured bond.