Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

South Fork prepares for partial re-opening

The South Fork Truck Stop is preparing for a partial re-opening this week, according to owner Gary Deaton.

The truck stop, located at Exit 63 on Interstate 30, was destroyed by fire on Oct. 5. The store was open at the time of the fire, and there were seven people working inside, according to a report published at the time. About 30-40 customers were also in the dining room of the restaurant when the fire broke out, but everyone escaped without injury.

Deaton said a 14x70 mobile building has been brought in to serve as a temporary convenience store. The gas pumps will also be operated out of the structure.

Hopefully well be open by mid-week, he said.

Workers are in the process of tearing down the burned portion of the truck stop and restaurant. Once that is completed, construction can begin.

Deaton said a new restaurant will be the first to be built and opened by early spring. After it is operating, the convenience store will be rebuilt and possibly open by summer.

Deaton said the new facilities will be bigger and better and will bring his old customers right back.

Weve been here 20 years and weve built up a good clientele, he said.