In the wee hours of August 25th the corner of 52nd and College, where my business is located, suffered a terrible loss. Our good neighbors, Aristocrat Pub & Restaurant had a devastating fire that also consumed the apartments above. Thankfully everyone was OK due to alarms. Now this has become a story about friendship and community. Take Jeanette Sawi for instance. She, and husband Taki, are the owners of Santorini Greek Kitchen in Fountain Square. Last October, they too had a major fire that shut them down. So Jeanette knew what Rick Rising-Moore and his team were feeling and she came that day with dinner and encouragement. I had dinner at Santorini's last night just to say thank you to her for taking care of my friends. 52nd & College is a neat little corner with unique businesses.

I have become close to the Aristocrat team because my building across the street is also owned by Rick Rising-Moore. It too has apartments and a business above. I have found Rick to be a generous and giving man and an excellent landlord. He looks out for his tenants and neighbors so it is no surprise to me that his neighbors and friends are supporting him during this daunting rebuild. It was good to see that lights were on a few days ago so electricity is up. I took a tour and it is a mess. The paneling is damaged but can be restored. The stained glass has been taken away and all the antiques, paintings and decorative objects have been painfully removed and stored for refurbishing. Rick has insisted that this work be done locally so it is Michaelis Restoration Services on 56th Street that is at the helm. Neighbor Jean Easter of Easter Conservation Services will conserve the art work. Fox Studios at 59th & College will restore the stained glass. This is Rick's way. Local business is important to him. Melissa Uhte, Aristocrat's manager said this to me in an email last December that I share with her permission. . . . "After spending over 50 hours a week for the last 10 years at the Aristocrat I can testify to this. Every spring we buy all of our flowers for our garden at Habig. Years ago I suggested to Rick that they would be cheaper at [a big box store]. He explained to me that supporting our neighbor was more important than saving a few dollars. I didn't get it then, but I do get it now. We have always put dog treats out front for our four legged friends. When you took shop in the Clark building Rick couldn't wait to have your logo painted on the biscuit basket. He buys his pet food from you. Paul [of Paul's Barber Shop] cut Rick's hair for years, now Leith, who owns Rue 52, does the cutting. All of his dry cleaning over the years has been done at Sparkle Cleaners. You can find Rick and most of our staff at the Red Key after the Aristocrat closes. We are a proud sponsor of Indy Bikes riding team. Matty who owns Design Sequence is mentioned on the back of our menu for his years of support. Jean Easter has framed Rick's beloved pictures for years. We buy birthday gift cards from Luna. Posh Petals did and still does every flower arrangement we send for birthdays and funerals. Every other morning at least one staff member walks into work with a bagel or treat from Taste. This just covers our retail neighbors. It would take pages to talk of residential neighbors over the years. All of the drinks, dinners and desserts he has bought for birthdays, deaths, engagements or just over conversation at the bar over the years. All of the above mentioned have loved and supported us. This is how a community, neighborhood, corner should operate."

Yes Melissa. This is how a community should operate. And it will again soon. As I write this on September 10th, the Pawn Shop is sponsoring tonight a benefit to assist with the lost wages of the Aristocrat employees. It will be a silent auction, concert and family fun. Other neighbor, The Sinking Ship, has posted this on their Facebook page as have other restaurants including far away Irvington's Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza, to name a few.

The beautiful front patio has become the "office". It was stifling hot and now is cool and chilly. But business is being conducted there as was my interview for this column. While we talked I noted that even though they are closed with no revenue and sit among ruin they still were paying a gardener to sweep up the fallen flower petals and keep things watered and lovely in order to be a good neighbor to us all.

As for me, I always say "pets make you smile" so I have to keep the biscuit box full out in front so the walkers-by won't be disappointed. That box has been there before my time here on the corner but now I'm in charge. And speaking of smiles, I would like to say that Rick is the most positive person I know. He can always muster up one. He's just happy everyone is alright and says you can always rebuild. We look forward to it.