Loss of iconic landmark prompts memories, sadness

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — This area lost one of its most recognizable landmarks last week in an April 1 morning fire that destroyed the former Paula’s Fish Place Restaurant.

Fire crews got the call shortly after 6 am on Thursday and found the building fully engulfed in flames when they arrived.

Crews were on site all morning and when the smoke settled, all that was left was a shell of the building.

Leamington firefighters battle the blaze on Point Pelee Drive on Thursday, April 1. The former restaurant was destroyed.

Photo courtesy of Leamington Fire

The former restaurant was not inhabited and had not been open for several months.

The property was sold a few weeks ago.

Former owner, Paula Ouellette, says she is devastated by the loss of what she called her home for 28 years.

“It was really like my home,” she said. “It always felt like customers were guests in our home.”

Over the years, it had become a favourite stop for birders, tourists and many locals who made Paula’s their favourite coffee spot in the morning.

“Most of my key management people had been with me for the last 22 years,” said Ouellette. “We employed family members, parents, sisters and nieces.”

Former owner, Paula Ouellette, centre, is flanked by kitchen manager Lori Pouget and her sister, Donna Shilson, at a celebration in 2014.

“It comes as an utter shock,” she added. “People have called and messaged me to share their amazing memories.”

Ouellette said that although she no longer owns the property, it was like losing a beloved member of her family.

“I have so many great memories, and I’m sad to see it go,” she said.

The new owners, Jeanna and Jimmy Simoni, were having some renovations done to turn the building into their dream Airbnb operation.

They were equally shocked at what transpired on April 1.

“We were so close to opening,” said Jeanna.

“We’re shocked and saddened about this.”

Simoni said that they had just put the finishing touches on the Airbnb suite upstairs and were expecting visitors in the coming weeks. They also had plans to turn the downstairs into Jimbo’s Snack Shack, where they would serve takeout food and snacks. Also planned was an indoor market where they’d incorporate a candy shop and sell baked goods.

Current owners of the property, Jimmy and Jeanna Simoni, plan to rebuild.

Photo submitted

“It’s been my dream since my kids were little,” Jeanna said. “We’ve put a lot of work into getting it ready, but we’ll have to start over.”

And start over — they will. The Simonis have plans to rebuild on the site and make their dreams for a family business come true.

“We were so excited to meet people, greet birders and realize our dream,” she said. “But that’s all on hold while we plan our next steps.”

The fire's aftermath -- a burned out shell.

Sun photo.

She was also thankful that nobody was hurt.

“We’re thankful and blessed that nobody was in there,” she said.

According to Leamington Fire, the cause of the blaze is still undetermined, but the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office was not called in to investigate.