CLAREMORE, Okla. — Claremore’s Cafe Flores is back open.
The Flores family closed their restaurant for six months after the Memorial Day tornado left it in bad shape.
Manager Angelica Flores spoke with 2 News Oklahoma, “I kind of had a feeling that it had hit the building, but I wanted to be wrong about it."
She was right. The tornado did hit the cafe. Peeling back the roof and leaving water damage inside.
“I got a call, and a bunch of customers were texting me, sending me pictures of the building,” Flores said.
Those customers predicted the restaurant wouldn’t open that day. Not only did it not open that day, but it didn’t open for six more months.
It’s the longest hiatus since the Flores family started their business 24 years ago.
After assessing the damage, the family decided an overhaul would give their eatery a new look.
- BEFORE AND AFTER >>>See pictures provided by Cafe Flores
New booths, new flooring, a fresh paint job and some new decor.
“We opened last Wednesday, and we’ve been non-stop busy,” Flores said, “It makes me super happy that the community has shown their love and support, and it feels great to be back open.”
The restaurant business isn’t easy; a complete remodel also proved tough. However, Flores said her family wouldn’t have it any other way.
There was no thought of permanently closing, she said.
“Especially with my dad, this place was his child, he loves this place, this is his livelihood.”
The cafe is open Monday-Saturday from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. They serve breakfast and lunch.
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