Jasper family devastated after restaurant burns down soon after opening

This year’s devastating wildfire season has left hundreds of Jasper homes and businesses in ashes, including one family-run restaurant that just recently opened its doors.

The owners of The Peacock Cork & Fork have been left heartbroken and picking up the pieces of their entrepreneurial dreams in the wake of the wildfire that ravaged the Jasper townsite last week.

Ashley Kliewer and her husband opened the business on June 12, just six weeks before it burnt to the ground.

Being evacuated days before the fire reached the community, she suspected something may have happened to her restaurant after viewing a damage map the municipality released. Her fears were confirmed when she saw a photo of the wreckage that was shared by a fellow business owner.

“When they came through it was pretty gut-wrenching, seeing everything we put into it was just burned and gone,” she says.

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The family was devastated to see all their hard work, time and money turned into rubble. At this point, they don’t know if they will end up restarting once all is said and done.

“I feel so deflated,” she says. “I’m trying to figure out where I’m going to take my family tomorrow.”

“It’s moment to moment, and trying to process anything on a bigger scale is just so overwhelming right now.”

What makes matters worse, the business was so new it was under-insured. Kliewer says they were holding off on upping their coverage until the Peacock started generating more revenue.

The family’s home has so far been untouched by the wildfires, but Kliewer says it not far from the site of the still-burning blaze.

“It backs onto the Pyramid Bench, which is currently on fire, and the weather is not looking great,” she says. “So that’s very much up in the air.”

With dozens of her friends having lost their homes, Kliewer says she is simply asking people to “hold space in your hearts ” for the people of Jasper.

Donations for the community’s long-term recovery can be made through the Jasper Fire Caring Community Fund.