Ithaca, N.Y. — Matt Fellman worked as a bartender for The Chapter House in Collegetown for about 15 years.
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In a brief interview on Wednesday, Fellman acknowledged the pain of losing the “special, magical place.” But he primarily stressed that he’s glad that nobody was hurt and that The Chapter House staff extends its sympathies to the dozens of residents who lost their homes and belongings in the fire.
“We’re really happy that everyone is okay: That is the most important thing,” Fellman says. “It was a special, magical place — but the people who lost their homes, the feeling of being displaced is so tragic.”
“The loss of all the students and residents in the adjoining building — our sympathies lie with them. Now is a period of mourning and taking care of each other.”
Several people have asked Fellman about the future of the historic Chapter House bar. But he wants it to be clear that those questions are best suited to be answered at a future date.
“We want to impress on people that we take this time to care for each other and to be grateful for what we do have,” he said, “and not worry about all that other stuff in the future.”
The Chapter House, the building that holds it and a building adjacent to it were destroyed in a blaze early Tuesday morning. Authorities have not determined the cause of the fire.
Click here for how to help The Chapter House and residents displaced by the fire
As far as the bar’s future is concerned, Fellman said that the owner of the bar and the owner of the building both understand The Chapter House’s important legacy.
“They have a really good business relationship and they’re both understanding of what everyone would like to see in the future,” he said.
It’s a dark day for The Chapter House. But Fellman suggested that the bar will one day be restored to its former glory.
“Rome and Chicago and San Francisco all got hit with pretty nasty fires,” Fellman says, “and they’re looking pretty nice nowadays.”
Ithaca Voice coverage of Chapter House fire
Update: Everyone safe in fire at Ithaca’s Chapter House; buildings lost – Everyone is safe and accounted for in a fire that drew a huge emergency response and caused significant damage at The Chapter House. Ithaca Voice
Why I will always love The Chapter House – Sometime during my sophomore year at Cornell, my best friend turned 21. I was still 20. Ithaca Voice
Danger unknown, Ithaca crews rushed into burning Chapter House building – Ithaca crews arriving at the scene of a multi-building fire on Stewart Avenue early Tuesday morning faced a daunting task.Ithaca Voice
Cornell student escapes from Chapter House fire: ‘The entire area was orange’ – “When I put my glasses on, I could see through the glass that the entire area was orange.” Ithaca Voice
Cornell grad student offers to house those displaced by Chapter House blaze – Katherine Herleman reacted with dismay when she saw news of the fire at The Chapter House in Ithaca early Tuesday morning.Ithaca Voice
Ithaca moves to fundraise for The Chapter House, help victims of fire – There are several ongoing fundraising campaigns to help The Chapter House and residents of the buildings destroyed in a fire early Tuesday morning. Ithaca Voice
Smoke from fire at The Chapter House visible from Ithaca College – Smoke from the fire at The Chapter House in Ithaca’s Collegetown Tuesday morning could be seen from as far away as South Hill. Ithaca Voice
Ithaca officials begin to evaluate extent of damage to The Chapter House – “…There was fire blowing out the front windows of the bar.” Ithaca Voice
About 30 Cornell students affected by Chapter House fire taken to Barton Hall – The university will seek to provide accommodations and housing for all the students affected by the blaze. Ithaca Voice