Fort Smith (July 17/06) - Fort Smith has taken a big step in recovering from a fire last month.

Ed's Express, a restaurant which was closed after a June 17 fire in the Portage Inn building, has found a new home.

The restaurant re-opened July 6 in space once filled by The Gallery restaurant in the McDougal Centre.

Ed Saraya, the owner of Ed's Express, says he and his family had been considering leaving Fort Smith after they were told it might take six months to repair the damage.

"You're not going to wait six months," he said.

The family was considering returning to Olds, Alta., where they own a home.

However, Saraya said he was encouraged to stay in town by residents concerned about the lack of restaurants in the community, both for residents and for tourists.

"They were worried, for sure," he said.

The fire left the community of 2,600 with only one operating restaurant and a Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut outlet at the Northern Store.

Mike Keizer, the chair of the Fort Smith Tourism Advisory Board, said he's ecstatic Ed's Express has re-opened.

"For the tourism season, it couldn't be better," he said, adding the Saraya family also contributes to the community in many positive ways.

The fire caused extensive damage to the roof structure, plus smoke and water damage.

Ed's Express had occupied part of the main floor, while the eight-room inn operated on the second floor.

The building also housed a hair salon.