Daytona Beach pizzeria counts days until reopening: 'We are excited'

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The fence surrounding the construction is still up near Sam's Coal Fired Pizza in Daytona Beach. 

It has been stopping people from getting a hot slice of pizza, but the owner tells FOX 35 after they’ve been shut down for the last 8 months that they’re finally getting ready to open back up.

"I feel great," said owner Sam Tadros. "I'm ready. I'm ready for it."

The county closed down the area outside his business for the vehicular ramp improvement project to make upgrades.

Tadros says they will be able to reopen the pizzeria by the end of February after construction on the sidewalk is finished.  

"I'm ready right now. I just need three days to clean up the place, get it ready to go and fire up the oven. The oven takes about 3 or 4 days to heat up because it's a coal oven," Tadros said. 

Tadros had to close his small business last June after just opening 2 months prior because of the construction at Atlantic Avenue and International Speedway Boulevard – shutting down the road, sidewalk and the beach access ramp.

"We have made absolutely no money in the past 8 or 9 months, but I'm the type of person that doesn't stop me. I come back, swinging and even harder," Tadros said.

So much so that he will be opening a "Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog" franchise that will also serve beer and margaritas. 

"We are excited and we're excited to be able to have a walkway for Bike Week and Spring Break because people can still get out to the beach. So that's pretty good," said Tadros.

The county had previously told FOX 35 Orlando the renovation was a much-needed upgrade that will benefit the entire community and that their goal was to ensure minimal disruption to businesses and residents while delivering "

a high-quality result in the most efficient timeline." 

Tadros said The City of Daytona Beach is stepping in to help his small business. He said the city is going to give him $4,500 to help when they reopen and also help with renovations of the new Nathan's location.

"The city's really trying to make everything more modern, do updates, bring people back here," he said. 

Florida businesses could get more help in the future with House Bill 215 – the Business Disruption Assistance Act.

State Representative Anna Eskamani introduced the bill along with State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith. If passed, it would offer a $25,000 grant for each phase of construction that impacts small businesses.

"There are some necessary infrastructure improvements that will benefit small businesses in the long run, but in the short term, they can be incredibly damaging," said Rep. Eskamani.

Tadros adds this would help businesses tremendously. 

"I think it's long overdue," he said. "They should have passed this years ago. Having grants like that would really help out. It'll help the businesses survive during that construction period."