Community donations help Vick’s Burger Shack reopen in Sultan nine months after devastating fire
May 8, 2026, 11:30 AM
Inside the now-destroyed Vick's Burger Shack in Sultan after it set on fire. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
Vick’s Burger Shack, a popular eatery along Highway 2 in Sultan for the past decade-plus, has reopened after an electrical fire forced it to close last summer.
The burger joint went up in flames on Aug. 9 at approximately midnight. The fire completely destroyed the interior, and smoke damage spread throughout the building. The owners of Vick’s Burger Shack believed the restaurant suffered $80,000 to $100,000 in damage.
“It was just devastating – couldn’t believe the amount of damage done,” Jennifer Vick, daughter of the owners of Vick’s Burger Shack, told KIRO 7 last summer. “I think we’re mostly still in shock.”
The fire was believed to be caused by an equipment malfunction.
To make matters worse, Jennifer told KIRO 7 that her parents did not have insurance for the business because they recently switched insurance companies. There was a clerical error during the transition, so Vick’s Burger Shack had zero insurance when it erupted in flames.
Now, nearly nine months later and after the Sultan community raised and donated more than $26,000, the establishment is back open, serving milkshakes and freshly squeezed lemonade.
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When will Vick’s Burger Shack’s full menu return?
Vick’s Burger Shack is not selling burgers or any food other than milkshakes and lemonade, as of this reporting. The family told KING 5 they are working towards a full menu, but still need roughly $15,000 to purchase a grill.
BLTs are expected to be available soon.
“We wanted to open with whatever we could serve, and the community was like, we don’t care what you have, we’re going to come buy it,” Vick told KING 5.
Next week, by May 15 or May 16, Vick’s Burgers, freshly painted in bright neon yellow-orange to be spotted on Highway 2 in Sultan, is set to open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The family’s GoFundMe is still active and receiving donations to cover repair costs.
Contributing: KIRO 7
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