Whether you call it a ‘grand opening’ or a reopening, Riverside Cafe finally is back

There’s a sign outside Riverside Cafe that says “Grand opening,” as if the restaurant hadn’t existed previously.

Maybe it says opening instead of reopening since it’s been closed for so long?

Owner Paul Cohlmia laughed and said, “That was a sign that Pepsi gave me.”

The restaurant at 13th and Bitting has been closed since a July 2021 fire. After finally finding contractors to complete remodeling work, Cohlmia’s next problem was staff.

Even though he now has an opening date of Thursday, Cohlmia said he still doesn’t have enough employees.

“Not really, but we’re going to pull from other stores,” he said of his other restaurants. Cohlmia said he “could use a couple more cooks.”

Initially, Cohlmia thought he might reopen with abbreviated hours, but he changed his mind.

Riverside Cafe will be open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

This story was originally published January 10, 2023 at 5:03 AM.