Shopping Center Fire Damages Several Beloved Bergen County Businesses Friday

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — An early-morning fire at a strip mall near Route 208 damaged several beloved small businesses in Fair Lawn.

"I was devastated to learn about the fire this morning that has severely damaged some of our most treasured local businesses," said Mayor Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich on Friday, "including Green Dragon, Flynn's Barbershop, Fair Lawn Road House (and Mashu Sushi) and Zadie's. The Fair Lawn Borough and community are ready to support the businesses in any way necessary."

The Fair Lawn Fire Department said that at least 50 firefighters from area departments rushed to the blaze on Fair Lawn Avenue around 2:27 a.m. Friday.

"The Fair Lawn Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a structure fire with flames coming from the rear of the Green Dragon Restaurant located on the 19 block of Fair Lawn Ave at 2:27 a.m.," the department wrote on Facebook. "Upon arrival, heavy smoke and fire was found coming from the rear of the building. Fair Lawn Assistant Fire Chief Ralph Rinaldo quickly transmitted a working fire assignment and also called for a second alarm."

Rinaldo said the blaze spread quickly and the roof collapsed, but no one was in the buildings by then.

Sympathy For Small Businesses

Zadie's Bake Shop, a popular kosher shop selling a variety of pastries and breads, wrote, "Unfortunately, due to a large fire at our shopping center, we will be closed for an undetermined amount of time. Thank you for your love, prayers, and patience. More details to follow."

The Jewish Federation of North Jersey expressed sympathy. "We are so saddened to hear about the devastating fire in Fair Lawn that caused enormous damage to Zadies Kosher Bake Shop as well as the other stores in the shopping center," they wrote. "We are grateful that no one was injured. Zadies is beloved by our community and until they reopen we will all miss their challah, babka, meltaways, and so much more."

Officials all expressed sympathy for the business owners, and said they were glad no one was hurt.

"Our business owners have dedicated everything they have to build these businesses for our residents to enjoy their food, haircuts, pastries and much more than that - trusted relationships within our community," wrote the Fair Lawn police. "We are with you all @greendragoncuisine @flynnsnewjersey @flroadhouse @zadiesbakeshop @dreamonlash @ RegencyCleaners."

Firefighters from Saddle Brook, Elmwood Park, Paterson, Hawthorne, Wyckoff, and Paramus helped out.

The fire is now under investigation by the Fair Lawn Fire Prevention Bureau.