After a brief and unexpected hiatus Carelli’s Pizza in Craig is scheduled to reopen in time for the Holiday weekend.

Co-owner Brett Etzler said Tuesday he and the staff plan to open on Black Friday for lunch and dinner.

To thank the community for its years of support Etzler plans to feature prime rib and salmon as Friday and Saturday’s dinner specials.

“Prime rib and salmon are going to be amazing,” he said. “Normally we wouldn’t be open Black Friday and during Thanksgiving weekend, but we’d like the community to come out and give us a little support.”

About two weeks ago a water line broke in both the men and women’s restrooms, flooding the restaurant at 465 Yampa Ave. to about ankle level, Etzler said.

Luckily Etzler arrived at Carelli’s early on the morning of the incident and was able to contact Great Divide Cleaning Service before the damage became too great.

“Special thanks to those guys,” Etzler said. “Luckily Dale from Great Divide got here so quickly and got the water out that it didn’t cause any floor damage. It never got into the kitchen and none of the tile or hardwood needed to be replaced.”

All told Carelli’s sustained about $5,000 in damage, mostly to the drywall in and around the restrooms, as well as minor damage to some chairs and fixtures.

Though Etzler has filed an insurance claim to cover the damages plus the lost revenue and employee wages, he’s expecting it to take weeks before a settlement check arrives in the mail.

“I’ve been hammering insurance everyday because we’re a small business, so we can’t afford to be closed for long,” Etzler said. “It’s a tough time to be closed too because hunting season is one of our busiest times, but two weeks of down time isn’t horrible. It could have been a lot worse.”

Three Son’s Construction was painting and putting the final touches on the drywall repairs Tuesday, Etzler said.

In addition to its prime rib and salmon specials Etzler said Holiday patrons can expect Carelli’s usual cuisine and a line up of craft beers on tap.

“If prime rib or salmon aren’t your speed we’d still love to see the community stop in for a slice or a cold beer.”

Joe Moylan can be reached at 875-1794 or jmoylan@craigdailypress.com.