KINGMAN – Slow-paced repairs have a popular downtown Kingman eatery tracking for reopening this spring. Like other restaurants, Calico’s was struggling through the pandemic when a ceiling and rooftop fire prompted its closure on Aug. 30.
New trusses are installed and the building on Beale St. has a brand-new roof. Co-owner Rhonda Chapman said Calico’s could reopen in a couple of months.
“I was hoping for April, but now I’m hoping for May,” Chapman said.
Chapman has logged many hours at the restaurant since acquiring the property in 1996. She said she has enjoyed some down time but wants to return loyal employees to work and serve food to customers once again.
Chapman said shuttered doors at Calico’s may have helped some other businesses survive coronavirus challenges.
“All of my friends up the street are struggling. If there’s been any blessing at all about this fire is that it happened during COVID-19,” Chapman said. “For me not to be struggling alongside them, at least they have more of the pie so to speak.”
Along with fire related building repairs come interior renovation and upgrade that Chapman thinks returning customers will enjoy.
“I think you’re going to see a whole new feel to the place. It’s going to be more open and more modern and we’re going to do an industrial-chic look,” Chapman said. “We are also remodeling our bathrooms. That’s sort of hard to do when you’re open 7 days a week. So, we’re going to redo the bathrooms and give the whole place a facelift.”
Dave Hawkins
