TULSA, Okla. — The extreme cold and now the thaw left quite a mess all across the Tulsa metro.
Water pipes are breaking and causing damage in homes, businesses, and churches. The Chalkboard Restaurant in downtown Tulsa is closed because of damage caused by a broken water pipe, but the owner is already taking action to reopen his business soon.
This all comes as restaurants are still trying to rebound from the financial impact of COVID-19.
“It more or less started raining in the kitchen and pretty much all the product had to be shut down,” Joshua Ozaras, the owner said.
When it rains, it pours — an expression he's all too familiar with.
“Water flowed into our kitchen, down into our dining room, and then through down into the wine cellar, elevator, shafts, and yeah... it was a mess,” Ozaras said.
His restaurant was just starting to recover from the impact of COVID-19, and now he's dealing with water damage. Tuesday, a pipe that is a part of the fires suppression system broke, flooding the kitchen, dining room, and wine cellar.
“I know it was at least 4 to 5 inches thick at one point, throughout the restaurant,” he said.
Ozaras said crews working in the kitchen managed to safely turn off the valves and breakers.
“You know it’s pretty discouraging, a lot for my staff, of course for me and my sister who is my co-owner, but you know the staff out… another blow to their income," he said.
Right now, The Chalkboard is closed while they dry the carpet and assess the damage. Ozaras said he is hoping to reopen by Saturday.
Ozaras has no doubt he will rebound, but he knows it will take a few days and a lot of money. He said one way the community can help him recover is by buying gift cards, which can be used once the business reopens.
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