Three decades of family history have been lost in Hernando County after a devastating overnight fire.

Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant wasn't just a place for people to eat, longtime customers say the Giarratana family that owned the restaurant gave back to the community it served.

"We are certainly looking forward to him rebuilding," said Kathleen Grattan with Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union in Brooksville.

The fire started around 3 a.m. inside the restaurant. According to investigators, the fire may have been burning for several minutes before a 911 call was made to firefighters.

The entire building was a loss, and will need to be demolished before a new restaurant is built.

"I wish I could flip my fingers and say tomorrow, but it's a question [of] how fast the insurance will work, the claim will work," said owner Joe Giarratana.

Bay News 9 was flooded with emails today from longtime customers saddened by the fire. The restaurants Facebook page was also flooded with posts.
 
Joe Giarratana and family say work is already underway to open a new restaurant.

First, the destroyed building will be demolished then local contractors will build a new structure.

Until the business reopens, at least three area kitchens have volunteered to help Papa Joe's fulfill already booked orders for catering and special events.

A cause of the fire early Friday morning has not been determined.

Patrons share memories of Papa Joe's

We asked residents who have eaten at Papa Joe's Italian restaurant to share their memories with us, and many responded.  Here are some of the things they shared with us:

"My in-laws live in Bushnell.  My wife and I live in Crawfordville, Florida.  They introduced my to Papa Joes over 10 years ago when we were dating.  To this day, I love going to eat there when we are down there visiting.  the last time we were there was the evening of my father-in-laws memorial service after his passing in July.  The food was always fantastic and plentiful.  I will miss eating there.  I hope they rebuild!"

- David Pienta, Crawfordville

"Me and my girl had our first date there. We have now been together for 5 years. We now have an amazing 3 year old."

- Shawn Scott

"From the age of 3 I used to walk up Highway 50 with my two older sisters and our father who was blind to Papa Joe's. We used to eat and sit there for hours and have endless root beer floats. It was the first place we went as a family when my dad bought his house in hill n dale back in 1991. My dad just paid off his house and celebrated there yesterday. So it comes full circle."

- Cristyn Bearden

"I often ate there when I camped in Pasco County. On one visit, I ordered the Baked Stuffed Clams. The clams had a uncooked stuffing on top. I wrote to Papa Joe, & to my surprise, he sent me a $30 gift certificate. He apologized saying the kitchen was taking a shortcut, that he was unaware of. He took it off the menu. I hope he rebuilds, The food and service was excellent."

- Rob Walczak

"My husband and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner at Papa Joe's in 2010. I remember them being so kind and they were able to work with us.  We had a beautiful dinner and shared the memory with family and friends. Since then I have been wanting to go back there for dinner and was planning on going very soon. I am very much saddened by what has happened and am thinking and praying for the family."

- Sarah Adams

"My parents both grew up in Brooksville, as did I, but when I was younger, we lived in Orlando and would travel to Brooksville regularly to see both sides of my family.  My parents had their wedding rehearsal dinner at Papa Joe's back in 1983 (pretty sure it was '83, might have been '82).  My grandparents (John and Alice Boncaro) on my father's side, lived on the road behind Papa Joe's on Ogburn St, in Rolling Acres subdivision.  My grandfather would visit my grandmother in the nursing home behind Golden Corral in Brooksville EVERY DAY, and would stop at Papa Joe's almost everyday to eat. 

"...It's something I will never forget, and it saddens me deeply to know that the restaurant caught fire.  I significantly hope that they rebuild...

"Papa Joe's will forever be in my family's heart, both the restaurant and the great man that he is."

- Jonathan Boncaro, Westchase

"The Suncoast Advisory committee meets three times a year to discuss the needs of the Hernando County Community. The committee consists of Hernando County leaders associated with various business entities, the School District, and the Sheriff’s Department.   It is the Credit Union’s way of ensuring that we are meeting the needs of our outlying communities.

"For several years, Papa Joe’s was the destination of choice.  As a business owner with such close ties to Hernando County, the Giarratana family graciously offered their meeting room every time the committee met.  Joe Giarratana frequently stopped in to check on the service and food, which was always exceptional. 

"During one of these visits, Papa Joe Giarratana spoke to Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union regarding a culinary scholarship that he had been offering for some time and asked if it was something that the Suncoast Foundation would consider partnering with.  The answer was a resounding yes, and for the past two years, the Suncoast Foundation, through the Hernando County Education Foundation, has been a partner in providing this scholarship to Hernando County Students.  My thoughts and prayers are extended to the Giarratana family, and all of the people employed at Papa Joe’s. "

- Kathleen Grattan

"I’m a staff member of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce. Papa Joe’s restaurant has been a member of our Chamber for a very long time. They have been active in so many events and functions here at the Chamber that it is difficult to imagine certain events taking place anywhere else but their establishment.

"Some of my favorite memories of the restaurant include the first time my family and I attended Spaghetti Fest. Just this last year in 2013 was the very first time we were all able to get together and go to the event as a large group. There were nine of us adults traveling from different parts of Sumter County, Pasco County and Hernando County. The staff made the night so special and we had such a great experience that we all marked our calendars to attend the 2014 event. It’s a shame that the event may not take place now.

"Later that same year, I had the privilege of attending our Chamber of Commerce Diplomat Christmas Dinner at Papa Joe’s. It was the first time I had been involved with the Chamber’s Diplomat Committee. It was a very special occasion and a very special Christmas celebration that I will never forget."

- Anita M. Hawkins