Vermont restaurant damaged by Irene to rebuild

WILMINGTON — A diner that was heavily damaged along with other businesses in Wilmington, Vt., from Tropical Storm Irene says it plans to reopen in November.

The owners of Dot’s, which sits above the Deerfield River and has been around since at least the 1930s, said Monday it’s going to cost more than $600,000 to rebuild, but that many volunteers and economic development groups have pledged to help.

Those groups include the Vermont Preservation Trust, Friends of the Valley, and the Wilmington Fund. Construction is scheduled to start in June.

Gov. Peter Shumlin attended the announcement Monday. He shared childhood memories of attending the restaurant and praised the community’s efforts.