JJ’s La Puerta Planning for Groundhog Day Reopening

JJ’s La Puerta Restaurant in Sister Bay will be open for certain by Groundhog’s Day (February 2), if owner James “JJ” Johnson has his druthers.

The kitchen in the landmark Door County restaurant was almost completely destroyed by fire Aug. 7, 2009, when rags soaked with vegetable oil spontaneously combusted. No malicious or suspicious intent was found by the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Department in their inspection, according to Fire Chief Chris Hecht.

Johnson said he has put in a whole new kitchen that meets current building and fire codes. The old kitchen did not have a fire suppression system in the kitchen hood because the existing aluminum hood was grandfathered in as long as changes were not made to the kitchen. To update to current codes, Johnson removed all electrical wiring and plumbing, according to Brett Timme, a commercial building inspector for Independent Inspections, LLC who has been inspecting the restaurant since the fire.

“The whole kitchen was gutted out,” Timme said. “There was no ceiling, no finished walls. There was damage to the second floor where the fire went up one of the outside walls and damaged the second floor walls and windows. Any new equipment that gets put in has to meet today’s codes.”

Before installation, Johnson had to submit plans for the new heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system and hood system installation. These plans are required by the State of Wisconsin for any new HVAC system, Timme said.

“I’ve done the inspections along the way,” Timme said. “Now they’re working on closing, finishing the hood system and are putting in the HVAC system. I’m expecting [JJ] to call at any time for final inspections.”

The road to reopening the doors of the restaurant and bar has been exhausting at times, Johnson explained, with hindrances from building inspectors.

“The building inspectors that come up from Waukesha don’t belong in Door County,” Johnson said. “Ephraim’s fired them, Baileys Harbor has fired them. I don’t know why Liberty Grove hasn’t fired them. Those people should be there to help you, not hinder you. Things change from one guy to the next.”

Although final costs have not been totaled, Johnson said the fire has “cost me plenty. Insurance has helped, but that’s been a hassle too. The inspectors have made it cost more than it should have, by making these guys redo things.”

Johnson said he plans to re-open for business even if the Groundhog doesn’t see its shadow.