VIRGINIA BEACH — Nearly two years after a fire destroyed a row of businesses on Atlantic Avenue, the family that owns the Oceanfront building rebuilt it and recently opened a new breakfast spot.

On July 11, 2023, an accidental fire started at the T-Shirt Factory on 26th Street and Atlantic Avenue. It spread to Maple Tree Pancake House and the King of the Sea restaurant at each end of the one-story building.

More than 75 Virginia Beach firefighters and three ladder trucks worked to extinguish the flames, but the structure could not be salvaged.

Maple Tree Pancake House was a breakfast staple in the resort area for 42 years. Roulla and Reino Lindroos owned and operated it, but after the fire, they decided to retire. Panagiotis “Peter” Bantelas worked there for 25 years.

“That was our future,” he said.

Matt Vakos, who managed the property for his family’s business, Vakos Development, recalled rushing to the the scene from his home when a tenant told him smoke was pouring from the building.

“I come over the Rudee Inlet Bridge and I see this towering black cloud,” said Vakos, 54. “By the time I got there, the building was engulfed in flames.”

The property has been owned by the Vakos family for three generations, and it was determined to rebuild and bring the small businesses back. It took almost a year to complete the construction. The new building features large windows and a two-toned brick facade.

The T-shirt Factory recently reopened in its former spot. And another restaurant will soon replace King of the Sea.

Knowing that Maple Tree brought in a big crowd, Vakos, who has experience operating restaurants in the resort area, decided to open Atlantic Waffle Co. in the same location, along with his partner, Jessica Stuart. It opened last week.

The new restaurant can seat about 100 people and has a modern, hip feel. Brightly-colored paintings of music icons by local artist Ernesto Flores liven up the dining area. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

Among the many items on the menu is an old favorite from the Maple Tree: Swedish pancakes served crepe-style with raspberry butter. Vakos has hired many of Maple Tree’s former employees, including general manager Bantelas, who greets customers.

“It’s not my restaurant, it’s theirs,” said Vakos. “We got the team back together.”