Fire destroys popular New Smyrna Beach restaurant, site of Brad Pitt movie filming. What we know

C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
Updated ·2 min read
2

https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/2024/03/15/spring-break-dates-florida-march-april-gainesville-tallahassee-orlando-daytona/72987407007/

A beloved neighborhood business for over half a century, Pappas Drive In & Family Restaurant in New Smyrna Beach was gutted by fire Monday morning according to the City of New Smyrna Beach Fire Department.

Just after 1 a.m. the NSBDF posted a photo to Facebook of the building wreathed in smoke.

"Working structure fire at Pappa’s on US1. NSBFD and VCFR units still on scene," the post said. "More to come."

Pappas Drive In was founded in 1970 and was recently used as a location in a Brad Pitt movie.

How to help Pappas' staff: NSB's Pappas Drive In manager, longtime customer set up GoFundMe to help staff after fire

Where is Pappas Drive In?

Pappas Drive In is at 1103 N. Dixie Freeway (U.S. 1) in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

What happened at Pappas restaurant?

The building caught fire sometime Sunday evening. No one was on the premises and there were no injuries or damage to nearby structures, NSBFD’s Lt. Adam Sarwi told WFTV.

Pappas is gone: Fire destroys Pappas Drive In & Family Restaurant, an NSB landmark for nearly 55 years

How did the fire start at Pappas restaurant in NSB?

Pappas Drive In Restaurant 1103 N Dixie Frwy, New Smyrna Beach.
Pappas Drive In Restaurant 1103 N Dixie Frwy, New Smyrna Beach.

Owner Vic Ganoe said he got a call around midnight from the alarm company saying there was smoke in the kitchen.

“I came up here, and it was on fire,” he said.

“We found the majority of the fire toward the rear attic space,” said NSBFD Fire Chief Shawn VanDemark. “The age of the building and the construction type of the building make it more difficult to access the void space to put (the fire) out.”

The department called in the state’s fire marshal to assist in the investigation.

What movie was filmed at Pappas restaurant in New Smyrna Beach?

Brad Pitt was in town in January filming a movie rumored to be titled "Apex" a movie that revolves around the world of Formula 1 racing, according to media reports.

Ganoe confirmed that some scenes were shot on the property and at Christina's Coin Laundry next door.

Will Pappas Drive In reopen after the fire?

Ganoe and former owner and founder Chris Pappas, who still owns the property, plan to work together to rebuild on the same spot.

“It’s a historic landmark in New Smyrna,” Ganoe said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Pappas Drive In destroyed in Sunday night fire. What we know