An electrical issue likely caused the fire that destroyed a popular hangout on Wekiva Island Park. But the owner said he will rebuild.
The Tooting Otter bar went up in flames Monday morning.
When looking at the property, you can see that only a small piece of the structure is still standing. It used to be the ladies’ room. Everything else is pretty much destroyed.
“It’s devastating. At first, it was just like…you couldn’t believe it,” said co-owner Mary Weinaug.
“I am stomach and heart sick over this,” said Ned Johnson.
Johnson runs his PaddleBoard Orlando business from the Tooting Otter, owned by Mary and her husband, Bill Weinaug. The couple just celebrated the bar’s five-year anniversary.
Owner Bill Weinaug said this labor of love was a show of their commitment to the community.
“We’re concerned about the environment," Weinaug said. "We came across this place because we figured it would be a better place to show that concern and teach people how to take care of the planet.”
Now, they’re taking care of the cleanup process. This is the second time this property burned down. The first time happened more than a decade ago, under different ownership.
Weinaug and his wife said the same spirit that built it, will rebuild it.
“You just have to pour your heart and soul into and that’s what we were doing,” Weinaug said.
And Ned Johnson said they won’t have to do it alone.
“Mary and Bill, whatever you need, we will be there for you," Johnson said. "The sub community is ready to jump in and help you guys dig out.”
Weinaug said they have a goal to reopen by Friday. It won’t be a full opening, just enough to get people paddleboards and canoes.