Code Bar & Kitchen will thank the community for its support in the aftermath of a tragedy with a four-day “Maplewood Appreciation Week.”
From June 30 through July 3, Coda will offer discounted drinks and bar menu items throughout the bar and restaurant, from opening through closing. Coda’s bar opens at 11:30 a.m. and can remain open until 2 a.m. — depending on business volume. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
On May 30, Guo Tai Chen, a 51-year-old construction worker from Flushing, NY was killed by falling debris while working on a project in Coda’s basement.
The Maplewood business community quickly responded by creating a fund to pay for the Chen’s funeral and other expenses. Julie Doran of the Maplewood Village Alliance reports that the Chen Family Fun was able to pay for Mr. Chen’s funeral ($7,500) and provide his family with an additional $5,300 to help with immediate living expenses. Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca attended Chen’s funeral in Queens.
Another $1,400-plus was raised in tip jars throughout Maplewood Village businesses to help Coda restaurant workers who were out of work during the restaurant’s closure after the accident. Coda reopened on June 12.
On June 12, DeLuca told The Village Green that the town’s engineering report said the building itself is structurally sound as is the construction site.
“This accident had nothing to do with the condition of the building,” said DeLuca.
The town is still waiting on a report from OSHA inspectors who are reviewing the cause of the accident.
