TRAVERSE CITY, MI -- Nearly 140 people inside the popular Red Ginger restaurant in downtown got a lot more than a fine dining experience Friday night when a weight-bearing column collapsed.

"The column, which is right in the center of the building, it started to disintegrate and it happened quickly," said Dan Marsh, owner and chef at Red Ginger at 237 E. Front Street.

"It was 7:30 p.m. and we were full," he said.

Some anxious moments followed as restaurant staff quickly evacuated everyone from the three-story building.

Today, the restaurant is closed until further notice and a structural analysis is completed. Structural engineers and welders worked through the night to shore up parts of the building.

"There is definitely some significant damage to the building," Marsh said.

Marsh said when some mortar popped off the brick column Friday night, it wasn't immediately concerning because that type of brick -- yellow sandstone -- is often chipping off in parts of the building.

"The whole building is made of that type of brick," he said.

But the situation turned scary when the column began to come apart. Everyone got out quickly.

Staff was able to get back into the building today to clean the dining area.

"The customers literally just got up and left the dining room, so the food was still on plates and the wine still in glasses," Marsh said.

Red Ginger specializes in Asian cuisine. The restaurant opened on Front Street in 2007.

E-mail John Tunison: jtunison@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/johntunison