Malnar's Tap Joliet Fire: One Year Later

JOLIET, IL — Monday marks the one-year anniversary of the devastating fire that swept through Malnar's Tap, leaving the popular neighborhood bar and restaurant in ruins.

Joliet firefighters arrived on the scene at 7:05 a.m. the day of the fire, which was a Saturday.

"Unable to determine cause to due significant damage in kitchen area," Joliet Fire Department documents show. "No witnesses on scene that saw ignition of fire. Building was secured at approximately 4:30 a.m. by owner. Owner stated that kitchen was last used at approximately midnight to make two pizzas in the pizza oven, and that all appliances were shut off after cooking. Kitchen stove burners were in the on position, which were documented in photos."

The Joliet Fire Department estimated the total damage to Malnar's Tap at $450,000. Two people who lived in the upstairs apartments made it out safely before the fire engines arrived.

A year later, Malnar's Tap remains boarded up. The building repairs haven't happened, yet.

However, on Sunday afternoon, the bar's new owner, Bill Stanford, told Joliet Patch that major renovations should get underway in the next several weeks. Stanford said he expects to have the Joliet bar reopened for patrons by late spring or early summer.

Stanford acquired ownership of Malnar's Tap in November 2019, just a few months before the fire happened.

During Sunday's interview, Stanford said he is working with a bank, and that it had taken three months to get an appraisal. He said banks and financial institutions are typically moving at a slower pace amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Stanford said the bar's remodeling will include the installation of solar panels and making the building way more energy efficient.

"I can't wait to get in there and get to work," Stanford added.

He said the reopening of the long-time Cunningham neighborhood bar is highly anticipated in Joliet.

"Everybody's excited," Stanford said.

He is working closely with the Will County Health Department and the city of Joliet building and inspections division to make sure everyone's on board with his restoration plans, he added.

The neighborhood bar is at 1123 Clement St.

Stanford told Patch that the neighborhood restaurant and bar, when it reopens this year, will no longer be called Malnar's Tap.

Under the new ownership, it's now called Stanford & Sons, he said.

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