12-2-21 fdl city council member says restaurant damaged by fire will not reopen

A month after ATF agents searched her home following a fire that damaged her restaurant a Fond du Lac city councilmember says the restaurant will not be reopening in Fond du Lac and she will be relocating in the future.  Arletta Allen made the comments in a Facebook post.  Allen posted that she wanted to thank people who have shown support in spite of the rumors and investigation.  She says the process  “has been painful and unimaginably difficult.”  Allen says she is shutting down her Facebook page until she gather’s herself enough to start over.  Allen says serving the community has been an honor but her  time has come to a close.  She says she is going where the “love of family is strong and supportive.”  She did not state where she plans to move.  Allen is the owner of A Family Affair Soul Food Kitchen which was damaged by fire in October.  On November 2  ATF agents searched her home and the restaurant.   An ATF spokeswoman said she could not release more information including whether  investigators believe the fire was intentionally set.   In September Allen reported the restaurant had been burglarized, and damaged.  At that time she posted on Facebook blaming her ex-husband, who in turn posted on Facebook that he was not responsible.