Bruno’s Little Italy in downtown Little Rock.
He had hoped to open Bruno’s Little Italy Deli in downtown Little Rock on April 18, said Gio Bruno, but heavy rain late last month has pushed the opening back by at least a month.
The rain exposed multiple leaks in the roof of the building, next door to Bruno’s Little Italy restaurant — “think Katrina,” Bruno said — and the interior, which was near completion, will have to be replastered and repainted, at the very least. In addition, two-thirds of the equipment inside got soaked. As of last Wednesday, Bruno hadn’t yet determined whether the rain damaged any of the equipment, though most of it was stainless steel and he thought it should be fine.
Oh, heck. Let’s just let Gio tell it:
“For several days the restoration company has had fans hitting all the surfaces to get it dry before the landlord can tell what to do next. I believe they have had a roofing team over there as well.
“I am very glad that it happened before we occupied the space, as it’s all on their dime. All it’s costing me is more time, and at first estimate, the construction company is saying at least a month delay (I had hoped to open on April 18). Any worry I would throw at it won’t help, so I’m just letting the landlord and construction company work it out while trying to stay positive. I refuse to think myself snake bit.”
The delicatessen, at 308 Main St., will be a companion to the venerable Bruno’s Little Italy, which Bruno owns with his brother Vince.
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