Oct. 3, 2019

The Pizza Ranch damaged by the September tornado isn’t expected to reopen until well into next year.

Its salvage company has removed everything from the building that can be saved, it said. Now, the insurance company is moving forward on cleaning out debris.

“The plan is for the entire Plaza to have all debris removed from the inside by next week,” the business said in a post on Facebook. “They will remove the old rubber roof and then start replacing the roof with the exception of the hole. New metal beams and decking are on order to replace the damaged roof but are 10-12 weeks out. Once the roof is repaired, hopefully by mid-December, then the interior build-out can get started.”

The best guess is that the reopening would be in May or June of 2020, it said.

Next week, the franchise will start working with Pizza Ranch’s corporate office to lay out the new store.

Ownership is considering adding up to 2,000 square feet to expand the restaurant and FunZone arcade.

“We have great insurance to take care of our 100-plus employees and will be back bigger and better than ever,” it said.

Several businesses at Plaza 41 were inoperable following the Sept. 10 storm, including The Original Pancake House, JoAnn Fabric & Crafts and Tuesday Morning. Those retailers and others have not announced rebuilding plans.