Blue Sky Diner Closes Following Building Inspection

Town officials last week ordered the immediate closure of the following a structural engineer's inspection of the longtime Stratford diner.

"The engineer said we had to replace some I-beams," said owner Nikos Avramopoulos, who hopes to reopen in three to four weeks.

Fire department officials were summoned to the Ferry Boulevard restaurant last Tuesday after Avramopoulos' wife called the department on a complaint about smoke in the building.

Avramopoulos said a small brush fire outside caused smoke to enter the basement, which spurred his wife to call the fire department. When they arrived, firefighters noticed rusty beams in the basement so they called in a building inspector, Avramopoulos said.

Blue Sky's owner said the building inspector told him to hire a structural engineer, who determined the beams needed to be replaced.

Avramopolous, who bought the restaurant 35 years ago, said the fix will cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000. He said he also plans to make a few minor cosmetic changes to the restaurant, including possibly installing a new rug and updating light fixtures.

"I just wanted to get the message across to our customers," said Avramopoulos about patrons who may have thought the closure was related to something else. "We have a very good reputation in the neighborhood."