In Ferguson, Missouri, Red’s barbecue reopens along looted corridor - charcoal bbq grill sale

FERGUSON, Mo.—The phone at the cashier did not ring.The light was dim and the glass door cracked.Worst of all, the windows are still blocked by wooden boards, capturing the sweetness that once attracted customers to the original Red barbecue.If only more people were driving on West floricante Avenue, perhaps they would realize that Red's had reopened on Sunday.But the pulse of the retail corridor is weak, and the area hurt by the night of robbery, fire, tear gas and shooting leaves a burning line --out buildings."Steven, let's close in an hour," restaurant owner Varun Madaksira told his staff ."."No one came."Let's move on," urged Steven Nelson .".This restaurant used to be a good one.Attractions in North StreetLouis County.The legendary spareribs were once sold from a truck driving in town.But the location cast a shadow over the legend.On August, 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, and Red was unfortunately around the corner.9.This is the closest business to the QuikTrip convenience store destroyed by the robbers.The shop was burned beyond recognition.So Madaksira thinks it's a miracle that his business can reopen.Re-opening is a complex issue for some business owners here.They think the community that loves them eventually robbed them.Many businesses are waiting for the grand jury to decide whether to sue Wilson before taking any action.Like many others in the area, they are afraid of another wave of destruction without charges.Madaksira is moving forward."I want to stay," he said .""People are now saying that Ferguson is not safe and you should be afraid to go to Ferguson.My mom in India has never been worried before, but now she is scared.The more they say, the more I want to show good people to this community."He moved from India to the United States to university, and Red's was his first business venture.No one here has ever seen Redmond "red" Harris, the original supplier of the barbecue --He went to jail for a car.homicide case.Madaksira, 28 years old, is straight-forward with her hair mop.After the shooting, he fired two employees and found a second job.He spent $8,000 cleaning up the restaurant."I don't blame my customers for being upset," Madaksira said of the shooting incident and Brown's body's anger that stayed on the street for hours ."."Would I blame Ferguson for not dealing with people together?Absolutely.Police, they don't care about my customers."Government agencies have provided him with loans to rebuild his business, but he refused.He believes that if the restaurant is to be rebuilt, it should be the business generated by the community.When Madaksira returned from his trip to India, he learned that there was a fire nearby."How could this happen, I think?” he said."I was nervous because I saw a quiet trip and thought my building would be next.On the evening of August, dozens of young people came to his parking lot.Ready to clash with police.They hold bottles and gasoline.“Burn it down!” one yelled.And they did.Red was robbed at least three times in the next few weeks.The morning after the fire, Madaksira scribbled a message on the shop's plywood with red paint: "We'll be back!Red is back despite the slow pace.First, the charcoal grill is placed one day outside each week, then two days.Then the grill went back inside.It looks like business is getting better until Brown's monument is on fire.Red was robbed again.In recent weeks, protesters have moved demonstrations to an area near the police station.Madaksira slept more easily.But he and others know that some of the little things about the daily ritual have disappeared.Alexis Vaughn, 23, missed the chance to go to QuikTrip to buy candy and meet friends on the street.She missed sleeping with her windows open and was not afraid of tear gas coming in.QuikTrip.Red’s.Friends on the streetThese are the reasons for her community."We are getting hurt every day," said Vaughan, who works on consumer services .".At the same time, the private leaders have contacted the owners in an attempt to encourage them to stand up again --and stay.Without business investment, they say, it is impossible for West fridges to prosper.Capt.Ron Johnson of the State Highway PatrolWho helped bring about temporary calm during the peak of turmoil?Trying to reach out to local hairdressers to help rebuild trust between residents, businesses and the police.Antonio Henry, the owner of the Prime Time Barber Shop, is not sure if he will attend."To be honest, it feels like a cover up," Henry said ."."Just like they try to keep everyone calm.I want to make business better.But I want justice for Mike Brown, too.Henry says his business has fallen by 60% since the shooting.There is also business in the barbecue.It's another weekend.Madaksira bought 1,000 pounds of chicken, beef and turkeyUsually the third order.Madaksira's staff Nelson starts at 6 in the morning.m.Season the meat and apply it with sauce.That Saturday afternoon, Wendell King, 25, came in.He drove from Columbus, Ohio to the neighborhood."[The shooting] has hit me a lot, so I need to see for myself," he said ."."It may be me on the street.Another customer, Amanda Moss, 45, told the owner: "Thank you for opening the door .".Tyrone Stoke, 49, swears, "will continue to support the place as long as the meat remains so tender and the price stays low.The door was still broken and the window was closed.But T-Shirt of St.Cardinal Louis has begun to mix up with "Raise your hand, don't shoot!” shirts.The phone began to ring.“Hello?Yes.I had ribs, chicken wings, turkey, beef, "said Madaksira.He thought for a moment and then added: "I suggest you place your order now.We may run out today.Wesley Lowery contributed to the report.