DES MOINES, Iowa — Basic Bird restaurant opened its doors for a short while on Wednesday. The restaurant is currently serving customers while awaiting repairs after a driver suffered a medical emergency last Thursday and slammed into the front of the building along Beaver Avenue.

The owner of Basic Bird said in the beginning he couldn’t believe what was happening, and was just grateful no one was hurt, including the driver.

The restaurant posted on Facebook Wednesday that they were cleared by the city to reopen, and are overwhelmed by the support they’ve received so far.

“Oh, it’s been mind blowing, I mean, not just support from the people who come in and dine in our doors but from other small businesses that I am sure are going through their own struggles so, it’s like especially heartwarming to have somebody who goes through those struggles and can relate and still donate to us,” said Joe Tripp, Owner of Basic Bird.

Tripp also spoke on the extent of the damage done to the building.

“We have pretty extensive damage on the original because there is a new addition on the building,” he said. “She hit it with such force that she cracked the original structure away, so I think we’re going to have to remove brick by brick the whole storefront on the whole corner there. Relay brick, a new window in, redo floors and signage. So, it looks like we are looking at around three to four weeks of closure when it’s all said and done.”

After the accident, Basic Bird started a GoFundMe page to help support the recovery of the business, and has already raised thousands of dollars.

Tripp said he hopes that even during repairs, the restaurant can provide delivery or carry-out to customers.

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