PORT CHARLOTTE — As the owner and employees of the Kallis German Butcher Shop worked to clean up the mess from a Saturday fire that destroyed an external freezer, they were highly optimistic they would be able to meet all the demands of the upcoming Oktoberfest season, including supplying thousands of pounds of sausage for events in Punta Gorda and Cape Coral.

While still assessing the damage Monday, they planned to be once again open for business today, and looked forward to welcoming back all their regulars, many of whom are close with longtime manager Patty Lonski and owner Manfred Kallis.