Fargo’s Pizza is back.
The Old West-themed family favorite restaurant in Colorado Springs will reopen at 5 p.m. Friday at 2910 E. Platte Ave.
“We’re ecstatic, to say the least, that it’s actually happening,” Dave Lavin, part of Fargo’s ownership group, said Monday.
The owners posted the news on Fargo’s Facebook page over the weekend; by Monday, there were more than 1,100 comments, mostly from fans of Fargo’s who said they had started to count down the hours until the restaurant reopened.
“That’s the best news I’ve heard recently!” said one commenter. “I will be taking my grandson to his first Fargo’s experience. Can’t wait!!!!”
“Welcome back and I look forward to having your pizza and amazing salads!” another wrote. “Sure missed you guys and definitely will be coming in to see you guys!”
Fargo’s has been closed since December, when a new round of COVID-19 capacity restrictions were put in place at that time for restaurants and area businesses.
Those limits since have been removed, Colorado Springs-area restaurants have operated at full capacity for several weeks and many Fargo’s customers have clamored for the restaurant to reopen.
Over the last several weeks, the owners and employees have worked to prepare the restaurant for its reopening, said Lavin. His wife, Paula, and Paula’s brother, Evan Gardner, are part of the ownership group; Paula and Evan are the daughter and son of one of the founders of Fargo’s.
When customers walk through the doors, the restaurant will look the same, Lavin said. No changes have been made to its décor, though some plumbing and floor repairs have been made, among other upgrades, he said.
The restaurant will have about 45 full- and part-time employees, slightly less than before it closed, but enough to reopen, Lavin said.
Greater workplace efficiencies, such as a new way to move customers through the restaurant’s salad bar and an upgraded system to process food orders, should allow for a smoother operation even with fewer employees, he said.
Fargo’s has been a Springs institution since it was launched in 1973 by brothers Leon and Landon Gardner, who gave it a Western theme and decorated its two-level, 500-seat dining room to resemble a dance hall/saloon.
Arcade games, employees dressed in Old West attire and other features made Fargo’s popular for family outings, birthday parties and special occasion gatherings. Many residents have passed down their love of the restaurant from generation to generation.
Lavin said Fargo’s expects a large crowd Friday, including some customers who no doubt will line up before the 5 p.m. opening.
“We expect Friday to be just out of the gate,” Lavin said. “We’ll be slammed at the very beginning, I’m sure.
“It’s really heartwarming,” he added. “It just underscores the faithfulness of our customer base. It’s wonderful.”
This content was originally published here.