Sister Cities down, not out after car crashes through window

Chef-proprietor Travis Parfait got the phone call at 7 a.m. “There’s a car in your building.”

On Wednesday, Jan. 20, a car carrying three passengers crashed through a window of Sister Cities Cajun & BBQ at 4144 S. Grand Blvd. Although no one was seriously injured, the city has condemned the building, and Sister Cities has temporarily shuttered until a structural engineer can assess the damage and determine when the building will be safe to occupy.

“We’re taking it one step at a time,” said co-proprietor Pamela Melton. “We’re hoping construction will be minimal, or we can be in there during construction. Everything is up in the air.”

It is that uncertainty that led Melton and Parfait to start a GoFundMe campaign to help their employees cover expenses until the restaurant reopens.

“Insurance companies don’t tend to move quickly or efficiently,” Parfait said. “But our employees have electric bills to pay and need to buy clothes for their kids.”

Melton and Parfait said they are surprised and grateful for the community support they have received so far. "We are not out of business,” Parfait said. “We are looking forward to getting back to making great food for people.”