HERTFORD — Do you find yourself driving by Captain Bob’s, getting hungry and wondering when it will reopen?
Yeah, I know that feeling.
Nearly four months after a devastating fire forced the closure of Captain Bob’s, the beloved Hertford restaurant is preparing to take its next major step toward recovery — tearing down what’s left of the damaged building.
In an update posted this week to a newly launched Facebook page, the restaurant’s owners announced that the insurance company has officially released the property, clearing the way for demolition to begin.
“If everything goes as planned, demolition will start next week!” the post read. “We will keep posting as things progress. We have missed you!”
If demolition does begin next week, it will mark the first physical step in bringing back one of Hertford’s most recognizable landmarks.
Demolition will be a critical milestone, clearing the site and making way for whatever comes next. While no official reopening date has been announced, the owners’ upbeat message suggests they are committed to restoring the Captain Bob’s name to Hertford’s dining scene. I miss their fried fish!
Remember that dark day — Thursday, May 22 – a fire destroyed much of the long-standing restaurant, leaving the community reeling from the loss. The blaze, which reportedly began in the smokehouse, sometimes called the pit, quickly spread, casting a large cloud of smoke visible from miles away.
For years, the restaurant had been a gathering spot for locals and visitors alike, known for its seafood platters, fried chicken, and family-style atmosphere.
That fire didn’t extinguish the owners’ determination to return. In the weeks after the incident, they expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and promised to rebuild. The latest update marks the first tangible sign that those plans are moving forward.
Since the fire, residents have voiced both nostalgia for the restaurant’s heyday and anticipation for its return. Many have shared memories online of family dinners, first dates, and post-game celebrations held there.
As one commenter wrote in response to the latest update, “It won’t be the same without Captain Bob’s — but we know you’ll come back better than ever.”
The owners promised to keep the community in the loop as plans take shape. “This is the new Captain Bob’s Facebook page,” the update said. “Please share!”