News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The rebuilding process for Crawdaddy’s could start as early as this week after Owner Drew Blalock signed a contract for work Friday.
Blalock said the demolition of the left over infrastructure will be the first step.
“There’s a lot that goes into rebuilding after a fire that I wasn’t aware of,” Blalock said. “But, there’s reasons why it has taken so long. You got to have a lot of structural design and things that go in with it and drawing some inventory so you can get started, but we are finally to that point.”
Blalock said over the past three months, he has been working with designers for a 2021 reopening. Blalock said the new building will standout while remaining resourceful.
“No sneak peaks,” Blalock said. “We are going to wait until it is put together, but I definitely think there is going to be a wow factor.”
Blalock said the overall damage to the Broad Street location was just at $1 million. Blalock said the building was under insured, so some of that cost will come from his own pocket.
“There is a number that I was insured for on the building,” Blalock said. “I was under insured, so I am definitely going to come out of my pocket for a little bit or get a loan to get Crawdaddy’s to where it was, but yeah, insurance covered the most of it.”
Blalock said one thing he did not realize would be a challenge is replacing the contents of the business. Blalock said he had to start early with COVID delays.
“A lot of production around the world has been shut down,” Blalock said. “So usually, if I went to buy this oven, I might have a week, ten days worse case scenario. And now, you are looking at a 90 day leave time for some things.”
As for the business side, Blalock said he fully anticipates Crawdaddy’s will be financially comfortable once the doors reopen. Blalock said he thanks the community for the support of his staff and restaurant during this process.
