Fayetteville restaurant struggles amid major construction
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Over the past several weeks, Crystal Poulos says her family's restaurant has been a ghost town.
The family credits the loss of customers to the large Department of Transportation cones that border Pizza Palace in the 100 block of Hope Mills Rd. They reflect in the restaurant windows that now don huge yellow signs reading "Yes, we're open during construction."
"People could not get in," Poulos said. "They were cancelling orders. They were ordering and then they couldn't get in so they were cancelling orders."
When Poulos' in-laws Thomas and Maria launched the popular Pizza Palace nearly 33 years ago, Hope Mills Road was a two-lane street. Two lanes turned to four, and now four lanes are turning into eight lanes as a part of the 2012 Glensford Project.
The project will give residents easy access to the Cross Creek Mall business district, as a wider Hope Mills Road will extend over Raeford and Cliffdale Roads, providing another connection between Hope Mills and Fayetteville.
While the project has been underway since August 2012, it was just last month when construction crews landed at the Pizza Palace front door. They're paving the additional lanes, and have routinely blocked access to one or both entrances of the restaurant, the Pouloses say. The Pizza Palace is one of a few businesses affected by the widening portion of Hope Mills Road. A gas station across the street temporarily closed earlier in the year, and the Pouloses said their CVS pharmacy neighbors have recently seen a significant drop in business, as well.
"I, I, I have no words," Poulos stammered. "I'm scared to death. I don't know what it's going to do [to the business]. I, um, don't know what's coming towards us. When is it going to stop?"
On Saturday morning, the blocked access meant closing the restaurant doors for a day. This week, all of the setbacks mean the Pouloses won't meet payroll for themselves. They want to provide for their 25-member staff.
"Dino and I, we can't," said Poulos, speaking about her husband. "There's no money there. We have to pay them. They have to have their money and that's how it has to be."
It's the kindest of gestures to Tammy Brown, an assistant manager who has worked at the Hope Mills Road restaurant for 22 years.
"They don't deserve this," Brown cried. "[And] This is what I know. Pizza Palace is what I know."
A DOT spokesperson said the Glensford construction should wrap in March, ending a four and a half year, $8.9 million dollar project. In several weeks, the paving project will end in front of Pizza Palace, but the pending extended median worries the Poulos family. They believe it could deter travelers from making a U-turn to access the business.
But loyal customers say they won't be deterred.
"Oh we'll be back," said Mike Warren, who's been eating at the Pizza Palace for 30 years.
On Tuesday night, Liberty Christian Academy planned to pack the restaurant in support of the Poulos family. Their children attend the school.
"Hmmm...," Poulos said, tearing up. "I just can't. I don't have words to be thankful enough."
