She opened Norwood’s Manny Vibez, a family restaurant in memory of her late brother, Manny Ruiz, as a fulfillment of his dream, writes Jesse Bunch for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Manny had big plans to open a restaurant with his sister, Christiana Ruiz-Penaloza, but died in 2022 before his dream could be realized.

Now a Jan. 9 fire in the restaurant kitchen has shattered both of their dreams.

The fire spared the restaurant dining room, but Ruiz-Penaloza is still trying to understand how a fire tore through the empty kitchen overnight.

“We were doing good,” Ruiz-Penaloza said. “We found a new home in a community that loved everything we were giving.”

In the past six months, customers have appreciated the vibrant Latin American and Italian fare on the menu, partially inspired by Ruiz-Penaloza and Ruiz’s time working at Jose Garces’ Buena Onda.

Customers are coming forward to help with monetary contributions. The local nonprofit Be the Joy Foundation has reached out with a digital fundraiser that has collected $6,000 so far to pay for belongings inside the restaurant that insurance won’t cover.

“At least now I’m not fearful to open,” Ruiz-Penaloza said. “I’m ready to do it again.”

Find out more details about the fire at Norwood’s Manny Vibez restaurant in The Philadelphia Inquirer.