Black Walnut Café one step closer to being rebuilt in Wortley Village

Months after the Black Walnut Café building in London's Wortley Village was destroyed by a fire, its owners say plans to rebuild the popular bakery are officially underway.

Co-owner Ed Etheridge said the Heritage Alteration Permit he's applied for is awaiting approval from city officials. Once it gets the green light, they can work toward getting a building permit to meet their goal of reopening the cafe by next summer. 

"We're just hoping that the city will be as responsive as heritage has been and hopefully we will start to shovel up the ground as soon as possible because I know the community wants this really badly," he said. 

The cafe, which has been a community staple for the 12 years that Etheridge and his sister Mandy have owned it, was demolished in April after it was damaged by a fire.

Emergency crews were called to the café at the corner of Wortley Road and Craig Street at about 1:30 a.m. on April 16 and despite efforts to extinguish the fire, damages to the building were so bad that it was deemed unsound by the London Fire Department. 

Estimated damages at the time were pegged at $2 million. A 20-year-old man is charged with arson and disregard to human life in connection to the fire.

A key pillar of the community

"Obviously it's something we never thought would happen but you have to fight onwards, so we've done that and kept out spirits towards rebuilding and bringing back this important building and business to the community," Etheridge said. 

"It really is a key pillar of the community and so we want to bring that back."

Etheridge said the new structure's design will be very similar to the original establishment built in 1878, with the intent of bringing back some elements that existed before Etheridges took ownership of the building. 

"We're really taking on the heritage history of the building and I think people are going to be really pleased with it and it's going to fit in just like it did before," he said. "The design is very similar to what it used to be with a couple of extra windows."

A city report, scheduled to be discussed by the Community Advisory Committee on Planning on Wednesday, recommends the permit be approved with terms and conditions that the new design will be compatible with the Wortley Village-Old South Heritage Conservation District Plan. 

"The intent of the Heritage Alteration Permit is not to require the replication of the old building, but to ensure that the new building respects and supports the heritage character of the Wortley Village-Old South Heritage Conservation District," the report reads. 

"The design of the proposed building, including its setback, footprint, size, massing, finishes, and details is compliant with the goals and objectives, as well as the policies and guidelines for the Wortley Village-Old South Heritage Conservation District. It's anticipated to compliment and support the heritage character." 

Etheridge said although the past few months have been challenging, he's grateful for the community's "heartwarming support" which motivates his family to get the shop up and running as soon as possible.