Community gathers to benefit Bridget Foy's workers

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Hundreds of residents and 30 South Street restaurants packed The Shambles at South Street Headhouse District, laying out the spread to support the displaced employees of both Saved Me Animal Rescue and Bridget Foy's restaurant.

Open 40 years at 2nd and South Streets, a two-alarm fire in October leveled the iconic staple to the ground.

"To make a restaurant, we need the people," said owner John Foy. "And those restaurants, that was our staff and they were what made us. And for those folks to help us help them, it's just enormous."

Area residents felt the loss as hard as anyone.

"I live in Queen Village," said Delena Parsons. "And it's a Queen Village institution, so I had to support the neighborhood."

And for some loyal Bridget Foy's customers the loss was personal.

"Bridget Foy's was our first date, maybe 15 years ago," said Liberty Nickelsberg.

"It's a part of the community, our culture in Philly," said Ron Sirak. "It's a part of our memories still, and it's not just a building, but the people who built that building."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but the Foys said they have every intention of rebuilding.

The timeline has not been set, but the plans are in the works.

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