Arnie's on Leonard reopens to big crowds | News

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- The owners of Arnie's on Leonard Street in Northwest Grand Rapids say customers are happy the restaurant is back.

The restaurant held a soft opening four weeks ago, and owners say it's been crowded every night since.

The business burned down in May 2009. A problem with the building's wiring started the fire that caused $2 million in damage.

The owners always planned to rebuild, and the business's rebirth has received a lot of praise.

"There are lots of familiar faces, lots of people coming back from our old Arnie's here to this location," says Erik Fahlen of Arnie's. "A lot of people grateful we're back and they love the new spot."

Fahlen says they're doing about double the business they used to have before the fire. He says they hired around 80 people to work at the Leonard Street location.