Dec. 27, 2024

After announcing it was being forced to close, Papa Woody’s Wood Fired Pizza hasn’t ruled out reopening.

Lisa Esser and Steve Blumke started Papa Woody’s as a food truck in 2016 and moved into their first physical location in the Jones421 Building in 2019. It has been open in the current location inside the Cascade at 701 N. Phillips Ave. since early 2022.

“I assure you, we did not make this decision lightly. Steve and I have used every dollar of our own money to try and keep our doors open, and we have nothing left to give,” Esser said in a statement Dec 24.

“It would take an absolute Christmas Miracle for us to be able to keep going. We are not even sure how to properly thank our amazing employees, most whom have been with us since we opened our doors at the Cascade Building. Please keep their families in your hearts, as they are all finding out on Christmas that they no longer have a ‘work family.’ Thank you to those who have continued to support us since our food truck days.”

In the past few days, Esser said she has learned there’s a possibility of reopening, but nothing has been finalized yet.

She said she hopes to have more information next week, including options for those who have purchased gift cards.