One Love Lounge and Caribbean Restaurant remembered with good vibes

In the early morning hours of June 16th, the Arlington Fire Department responded to a fire at the One Love Lounge and Caribbean Restaurant. The fire started about 3:00 AM. When crews arrived on the scene, they could see flames shooting out of the building. They fought the blaze for hours before having to desist, with crews forced to tear down what was left of the building for safety. No injuries were reported.

The property was deemed a total loss, but they plan to rebuild. The owners posted a heartfelt message on their Facebook page to share the news, with many people offering their condolences and well-wishes.

One Love Lounge, named after the “One Love” Bob Marley song, is a family-owned small business. The owners are of Guyanese descent and moved from New York to Texas about 20 years ago. They opened the restaurant and lounge around 2016. The spot at 2315 S. Cooper Street in Arlington featured Caribbean food, culture, music, and live entertainment.

Best wishes to the family as they rebuild. It always saddens me to a family-owned small business go through something like this.

I photographed the building and its murals in April 2023. It always looked so colorful and vibrant.