Nearly two years ago, Kurt and Lisa Mankin's business went up in flames.
A late-night structure fire at Oscar's Classic Diner in January 2013 closed the Mankins' popular east-side restaurant for 8½ months. Now rebuilt and risen from the ashes, Oscar's earned the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce's 2014 Small Business of the Year honor on Wednesday.
"I was humbled, with all the other great businesses there. It means a lot to us and our staff," said Kurt, owner of the 10-year-old business. "I just am so grateful that we're a part of this Jefferson City community."
Oscar's earned the award over finalists Culver's, Fischer Body Shop, Merrell University and Yanis Coffee Zone - a top finalist for the second year in a row - as well as 21 other candidates. The finalists were evaluated based on their overall success in innovation and creativity, evidence of business growth and participation in community-oriented projects.
Kurt and Lisa, natives to Jefferson City's east end, opened the 1950s-style diner, located at 2218 Schotthill Woods Drive, in 2004 as a tribute to the original Oscar's Steakhouse, which Kurt's grandfather owned and operated during the 1950s and 1960s.
"I want to thank our staff. They really care about everyone in the community, and I hope that when you come in you can see that," Kurt said. "We try to be a family here."
The January 2013 fire kept the diner's doors closed until last October, but when the Mankins reopened Oscar's they did so with a new 1,600-square-foot expansion.
"The community really helped us through that fire, and we couldn't have done it without that support," Lisa said.
"We had so many people on our Facebook page encouraging us to rebuild and offering help, with not only us but all our employees," Kurt added. "It was just overwhelming, the support we received."
The expansion features a banquet room for community use. "The banquet room has added so much. It's given people in the community places where they can have bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and family get-togethers," Kurt said.
Oscar's also has a history of helping community members and organizations in need, including schools and families.
"The community's just always been very supporting of us, and we really appreciate it," Kurt said. "We always try to be very generous."
The Mankins plan to start placing more focus on the restaurant's catering and drive-through.
Criteria to be nominated for the award required that the business be a Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce member, have been in operation for at least two years and employ 50 or fewer full-time employees.