TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Senka Delich arrived in the United States over 25 years ago.
Delich, a refugee, fled the Bosnian War with her children in hopes of providing the family with a better life.
“I lost a lot of family members back home,” Delich said. “It was stay there and be killed, or move here and start over. I didn’t have a choice.”
Her journey took here to Terre Haute where her family settled. She managed to learn English and get accustomed to the culture. This enabled her to open the Delish Cafe.
“This is my dream. I came to this country as a refugee and I wanted to live my dream,” Delich said.
The business became so successful that Delich was able to open a second restaurant.
However, over the weekend, years of a hard work went up in flames as the Delish Cafe was destroyed by an accidental electrical fire.
“We all cleaned up and left and it wasn’t even forty minutes later,” Delish explained. “My staff called me because they were passing the restaurant and they say they saw the smoke.”
Delish stated that she would work 15 hour days in the building from time to time. It was at the point where she felt as if she had lost a home instead of a business.
“That was my home away from home,” Delish said. “We spent more time in that restaurant than at home.”
Now, all employees occupy their second location, Delish Cafe East.
“I’m excited to still have this opportunity to still be working,” Delish Cafe Manager Michael Bush said.
The community has stepped in to assist Delish. She said that she has seen more people visit the second location.
“We have some of the most amazing customers. They’re like family and we treat them like family,” Delich said.
Delish Café East is located at 8775 Wabash Avenue in Terre Haute.
