Lake Burton Grocery Rebuilding

A fire that started minutes before midnight destroyed the iconic Lake Burton Grocery.

Joe Durkin, owner, said prior to firefighters arriving, flames had broken the store’s windows and were about six feet high. The structure has been deemed a total loss. “It was a 75-year-old building and it really just tore it up and destroyed everything,” Durkin said.

Rabun County Fire Chief Daniel Johnson said the structure was fully involved within a few minutes after the fire started and a crew of about 25 firefighters from three stations responded to the call. He said the cause of the fire was still unknown, but he suspected the building might have been struck by lightning.

Durkin and family have owned the store for seven years, and despite the setbacks he said he is still happy to be in the service industry.

“You’ve got to love the business to do it,” Durkin said. “You’ve got to be able to serve that food and serve the customer with a smile on your face every day.”

Businesses like Durkin’s are relatively scarce in the western part of Rabun county.

Mike Bozeman said he had been coming to the store for many years and that he hoped the store would reopen sooner than later.

“That little store has been just an institution to us,” Bozeman said. “They’ve really worked hard building it up and maintaining it.”

“It’s indispensable,” long-time customer Sam King said of the store. “We’re basically 10 miles from town, so when you need a gallon of milk or a great sandwich that’s where you’d go.”


What insurance there was has proven to be insignificant in light of today's cost of rebuilding the Highway 76 West culinary legend.

“I’m just overwhelmed by the support of the community,” Durkin said.

“We’re going to build it back and a little stronger,” Durkin said. “We were hit by the tornado three years ago and that didn’t stop us.”

From the family:

To our family, friends, the Rabun community and beyond,

As you all know our lives were turned upside down recently when our store, Lake Burton Grocery was lost due to fire. The compassion and generosity of this community began while the fire still burned and has continued each day. We are extremely grateful for everything that the community has done for us. Please accept our heartfelt thanks for all your support. We at Lake Burton Grocery feel blessed to call such a beautiful, compassionate, and loyal place our home.

God Bless,
Lake Burton Grocery
Joe, Pati, Barb, Troy, Heather, Phyllis, Billie, Shannon, and Amber

Here's the link to share the progress of the rebuilding:
Lake Burton Grocery on Facebook]