On July 1st, El Arco Iris #1 Supermarket was destroyed by fire, but that did not destroy the owner’s dreams.

Fire crews were called to the business that contained a restaurant, supermarket and tax services at 10am on the day Georgia’s new immigration laws went into effect. Fortunately, no one was inside, as El Arco Iris and a number of other Hispanic owned businesses statewide were closed in protest of the new law.

Now, eight months after the original location was leveled, owner Rigoberto Garcia says he’s ready to rebuild.

“We’re leasing a building and it’s just a restaurant," said Garcia. "But that’s fine for now.” El Arco Iris restaurant will reopen in a couple of weeks according to the owner. 

The new restaurant is located at 199 E. Crogan St.—just a few hundred yards away from the lot were the original building once stood at 276 E. Crogan. The sign still stands over the now vacant lot, but Garcia says he will return there one day soon.

“We’re planning to rebuild in the same location,” said Garcia. “It will take about a year.”