Out with the Old: Dining Room Demolition

 
Demolition of the Iconic Papa Joe's Restaurant is in progress.  The building was a strip plaza when Joe and Donna began their restaurant endeavor back in 1981. The tiny end unit housed Papa Joe's humble beginnings with a secondhand oven and a couple little tables.  Gradually, they extended, one unit at a time until finally taking over the entire building.  This was the setting of 33 years full of memories with family, friends, and community.  Though the memories will remain, their stage has been taken by fire, leaving behind only charred, melted rubble.  Hard work and long hours, passion, comittment, and love are what built this place yet as I stood with Joe watching bull dozers plow through the remains of our dining room, he said "out with the old, in with the new".  His heart was in this place and I'm sure it's as broken as the building, yet his optimism, faith, and hope remain unwavering.  The demolition is a sign of progress and moving forward.  A refined restaurant will be built upon the same foundation, both in literal and figurative terms.  Papa Joe's will rise again, you can bet on that!

Spaghetti Dinner

Hillside Community Church is hosting a spaghetti fundraiser to benefit Papa Joe's Relief Fund.  PAPA JOE IS MAKING THE SAUCE! Come and get your Papa Joe's fix and support a great cause!

Look Who's Cookin'

There's a whole lot of love in that pot of sauce!  This is Joe's first time back in the kitchen since the fire...therapeutic for sure.  He has obtained a huge, temporary kitchen for catering and party pans.  That's right, you can get your Papa Joe's fix by the pan to carry out!  If you are planning an event Papa Joe's is the areas superior caterer without doubt! Support the family that has supported the community for 33 years!

Employee relief yard sale

A Community on Fire with Compassion

Within hours of the tragic fire that ruined our restaurant, community began to rally around the entire Papa Joe's family of employees.  The love of our great community was felt immediately as people came to offer support to us in our time of need.  Amazing acts of compassion carried us through the shock of the situation and reminded us of hope.  From fundraisers to cash donations and volunteer work, the people who surround us stepped in, eager to help in so many ways.  I have been personally changed in my heart by witnessing the display of unselfish love presented to us.  In the restaurant I have heard Papa Joe say a thousand times "one hand washes the other and together they wash the face", there is such wisdom in this simple paradox and it resonates within the communities response toward us.  To the hundreds of phenomenal citizens that have softened the fall of Papa Joe's, thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You have taught me just what it means to be an active part of a village!  

abc action news

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-citrus-hernando/brooksville/brooksville-icon-papa-joes-italian-restaurant-burns-down-overnight

Ruins

This is the scene at Papa Joe's the morning of the fire.  If I could pan this picture to the right you would see a group of my co-workers, owners family and our friends (customers) huddled together tearfully processing the tragic sight.