The owner of a cherished Peabody bar and grill is determined to rebuild her 46-year-old business, which was devastated by a fire over the weekend. However, just a day after the blaze at Coneburg Grill and Pub, Lindsey Marshall admitted that imagining what the future holds for the restaurant is difficult.
“I can’t even picture it right now,” said Marshall, fighting back tears. “It will never be the same.”
Marshall, a Peabody native who has owned the business since 2011, was at home early Sunday when the restaurant’s alarm system went off. She awoke to the news that Coneburg was on fire.
The Peabody Fire Department responded, but by the time the flames were extinguished, Marshall was left in shock at the extent of the damage. Officials believe the fire started in the stove area, and it caused the ceiling to collapse, completely destroying the kitchen.
“There’s no kitchen left — the kitchen where I made my magic happen,” said Marshall. “Some of the best chefs in Kansas have cooked in that kitchen.”
Though the insurance adjuster has yet to assess the damage, Marshall suspects the building is a total loss. Thankfully, no one was injured in the fire.
Located beneath the Peabody water tower, Coneburg Grill and Pub operated out of a red metal building with the word “EAT” boldly painted on its side. The interior featured a large dining area, complete with a long bar, tables, booths, a cozy fireplace, and glowing lights.
The restaurant was known for its made-from-scratch comfort food, including favorites like chicken fried steaks, Reuben sandwiches, and burgers, and it even served “mountain oysters.”
As one of only two restaurants in the small town of Peabody, with a population of around 920, Coneburg attracted customers from nearby Harvey and Marion counties, as well as Wichita.
The restaurant was a hotspot for local music lovers, often hosting independent acts like Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy and Pretend Friend.
Coneburg was founded in 1978 by Shirley Strotkamp, a Peabody native who ran the restaurant until her death in 2015.
After leasing it to other operators, she sold the business to Marshall in 2011. Marshall has been deeply moved by the fire, especially since she promised Shirley she would take care of the Coneburg.
Since the fire, Marshall has been overwhelmed by the support from the community, with several fundraising efforts launched to help the business and its employees, including a GoFundMe account for the staff during the holiday season. A donation account has also been set up at Vintage Bank Kansas to support the restaurant’s recovery.
“My phone hasn’t stopped ringing since yesterday at 7 a.m.,” Marshall said. “It’s nothing but support.”
Despite the daunting challenge of rebuilding, Marshall has realized just how much the Coneburg means to her. “It’s a part of me,” she said, and she’s determined not to give up on it.
A longtime customer reminded her that the community stands behind her, urging her to rebuild and remember the importance of Coneburg as a gathering place where patrons feel like family. “You walk in there and you know everyone,” Marshall said.
