By Melanie Davis

The catch of the day Sunday at the Speckled Trout Cafe on Blowing Rock’s North Main Street was a full-size Ford Bronco.
Chih Jen, age 70, of Boone, was attempting to park beside the popular restaurant, located at the U.S. 221 intersection. In maneuvering his vehicle into position he struck the building causing the wall on the south side to collapse.
Lt. Dennis Swanson of the Blowing Rock Police Department, stated the impact was at a low-speed. Jen was attempting to park the vehicle in order to have lunch just before noon on Sunday.
The Bronco had enough momentum to travel over the timbers and flower bed and strike the building. Upon impact, the wall collapsed.
There were two adults and two children seated at a table inside the restaurant, and while the impact and collapse pushed them further into the center of the building, there were no injuries according to Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue officials.
Lt. Swanson said there were no indications of aggressive or reckless driving nor excessive speed. The Bronco sustained only scratches to the bumper and hood. Jen was not cited in the accident, though the accident report faults him as inattentive and improper parking.
The restaurant remained closed Tuesday, and while the owner, David Bartlett, could not be reached, speculation were that the town’s inspections department would conduct a thorough inspection to assure the public safety before allowing the business to reopen.
Emergency service officials on the scene said while there was minor damage from the impact that collapsed the wall and compromised the safety of the roof, it appeared the structure was also showing serious signs of deteriorating timbers and significant work would have to be done before the restaurant reopens. Speckled Trout Cafe was formerly two separate businesses dating back to the 1930s. Prior to being modified a small cafe operated as The Pantry on the 221 side, and on the 321 side was one of three corner service stations