Bradford Cafe rises from ashes

Last September, residents of Bradford – population: 1,200 – watched woefully as a local landmark, the Bradford Cafe, burned to the ground.

Like a phoenix in Greek mythology, however, the 60-year-old restaurant rose from the ashes, re-opening to the public shortly before Independence Day.

“I really appreciate all of the community's support,” owner Gerardo Ornelas told the Herald-Press Thursday. “From the day of the fire (Sept. 18), they offered us moral support. They prayed for us. They even offered donations to me and my family.”

The cafe has been a community staple since it opened as “Wall's General Store” in 1957. Ornelas, a 38-year-old father of six, has operated the eatery for five years.

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