The owners of the Pony Expresso have completely renovated a historic building and are now open for business. Meanwhile, crews are working quickly across town to finish the building that was destroyed in time for the one year anniversary of the fire.
The bright yellow building is a fresh start for the Pony Expresso Coffee House and Trading Post. The business was one of six destroyed by a fast moving electrical fire last year.
"It happened on mother's day weekend, and it was pretty devastating," Mary Lee Moore said. "I think the whole town kind of went into mourning, so it's nice to see it all coming back together."
Mary Lee Moore owns a flower and gift shop right next door to the new Pony Expresso on Highway 49. She's enjoyed watching the historic building undergo a dramatic transformation.
"We're really excited to have them up on this end of town, and i think it's the beginning of a nice facelift for this part of the community," explained Mary Lee Moore.
Coffee shop owner, Amy Eaton, says she couldn't pass up the chance to move into this prime spot. She's planning to offer soups, salads, and fresh biscuits, along with the other pastries and drinks customers enjoyed at her previous location.
"I couldn't be more happy," Eaton said. "It's just more than I ever even envisioned so I think it was definitely the right choice for us."
Down Highway 140, crews are making visible progress on the iconic Pizza Factory and the rest of the gold rush era building that the blaze left in ruins. They estimate the project is at least 60 percent complete and are trying to finish it by the one year anniversary of the fire on May 11th. Most of the workers are from Mariposa and say they have extra motivation for bringing this local landmark back to life.
Steve Meisner said, "I'm going to have something to show my grandkids."
The owners of the Pony Expresso are planning to have an official grand opening early next month.
