CINCINNATI — Months after a Winton Hills grocery store was forced to close following what arson investigators called a firebombing, Tree Top Grocery opened its doors to customers.
Co-owner Fesseha Tesfatsion invited WCPO 9 into the store the day after the Nov. 26 firebombing to show the charred remnants of the store. Nothing in the store was salvageable.
Tesfatsion said a $150,000 investment back into the company allowed him to welcome customers again.
"As you can see me, I'm smiling," he said. "I'm happy."
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Customers like Courtney Logan were happy to return to the store that largely serves low-income walk-ins.
"Amazing. Love it," Logan said. "Right down the street, love it."
Tesfatsion said the store's closure left dozens with a mile and a half walk to the nearest grocery store.
"Most people here, they don't drive — some mothers without a car with their kids, they have nowhere to go," he said.
Cincinnati fire officials said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
"I hope they will find such a criminal so it does not happen again," said Tesfatsion.
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