A year after a devastating fire, the owner of Paragon Bar and Restaurant in Euclid is finally finding some closure. The man responsible for setting the fire, 24-year-old Da’von Triplett, was sentenced to 7 years in prison for aggravated arson and vandalism. Despite the long road to recovery, Jackie Morere, the restaurant’s owner, says she’s thankful justice has been served.
The fire, which started in September 2023, nearly destroyed the business. At first, Morere was unsure what happened. “Everyone thought it might have started in the kitchen,” she said, “but my team told me everything seemed fine when they left that night.” However, something didn’t sit right with her. “My gut told me something was off. Within 20 minutes of everyone leaving, the whole place was in flames.”
Triplett was no stranger to trouble. He had been in the bar earlier that night, acting suspiciously and not ordering anything. After being asked to leave, he vanished, only to be caught months later during a separate arrest in Strongsville. He had stolen a jeep and a gun.
Sadly, the damage to Paragon Bar was severe, with repairs estimated at nearly half a million dollars. Despite the struggles, Morere is hopeful for a summer reopening. Thanks to support from other businesses in Euclid, some of her employees have found new jobs, with a few even working at her other bar in downtown Cleveland.
Here’s to a brighter future for Paragon Bar and its dedicated team!
