HUMBOLDT — Opie’s will be serving up its last slice of pizza in downtown Humboldt on Sunday, Feb. 13.
Owners Nobby and Terra Davis said the decision to close the family-style restaurant after 4½ years was difficult, but unavoidable.
“It’s been a nightmare ever since the pandemic arrived,” in spring of 2020, Nobby Davis said.
Staffing has been their biggest challenge.
“Employees have had to be away because of illness either by them or their families at one time or another,” he said. “We’ve been perpetually short-staffed.”
The Davises also own Opie’s Pizza & Grill in downtown Chanute. After almost 22 years, the couple will continue that business.
“It’s a lot easier to sustain and staff a business in a population of more than 9,000 like in Chanute than in a smaller town,” said Davis, who serves as Humboldt mayor.
The Davises have a staff of about 20 employees, mostly part-time, at each restaurant.
“They, and our customers, are like family,” he said. “We’ve appreciated everyone’s loyalty over the years, especially during this rough patch.”
