Staff Writer

LISBON — A judge scheduled a damages hearing at 11:30 a.m. June 5 for the default judgment issued in favor of Heggy’s in Salem against the contractor who caused damage to the restaurant while demolishing the former Schory building in downtown Salem in 2024.

Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Bickerton issued a ruling Monday finding the allegations in the case to be true and found in favor of the restaurant against defendant Kevin Kerr.

She previously entered a default judgment on March 18 against the defendant Veterans Energy and Construction Services, LLC and in favor of Heggy’s.

Heggy’s Alliance and Salem Gen 3 LLC, Alliance, filed the lawsuit in January against Veterans Energy, with addresses in East Liverpool and Akron, and against Kerr, East Liverpool, a principal of the company, making claims of negligence, trespass, nuisance and breach of contract.

The restaurant located at 296 E. State St., Salem sustained damage when a large portion of wall at the Schory property next door was toppled over by the excavator of Veterans Energy and Construction Services, LLC on Nov. 10, 2024, “causing it to crash down into and upon plaintiff’s abutting restaurant and large outdoor walk-in freezer, resulting in severe structural damage to the property,” the lawsuit document said.

The demolished building had been owned by former Salem city councilman Earl “Bud” Schory and previously housed his law office and a Kitchen Classics business. The building butted up against Heggy’s restaurant to the east and BB Rooners to the west.

The restaurant sustained damages from the destruction of the property, loss of revenue due to having to close temporarily, added employee expenses, temporary refrigeration rentals, legal fees and significant reconstruction costs.

According to the lawsuit, reconstruction costs totaled $162,638 for Heggy’s, along with temporary refrigeration, lost revenue, delay, added employee costs and legal fees totaling $69,268.