Popeyes is open again after fire damaged building
5/16/2008 12:13 AM   0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend

By HALEY HUGHES Staff writer

The York Street Popeyes is open again after a fire badly damaged the original structure last year.

The restaurant opened its doors Thursday morning with little fanfare, but it wasn't long before the first customer came in to place an order for a dozen mild chicken wings.

"I missed it," said customer Elizabeth Scott. "(When they weren't open) I went all over town looking for food."

"It is always good to have some pent-up demand," said owner Mark Rinna.

"Oh, yes, I am (glad they're open). I am going to enjoy it (the wings)," Scott said.

Popeyes, located at 939 York St., is in a brand new building. There was nothing left to salvage from the fire-damaged structure, Rinna said.

"It took obviously quite a while to get through the process," he said. "But it'll be all worth it. We're glad to be back. Aiken has been good to us. There was never any question in my mind that we were going to rebuild."

The brand new Popeyes is modeled with what the company calls its heritage design. Popeyes, then called Chicken on the Run, first opened in a small New Orleans suburb in 1972. The heritage design is based on architecture and colors found in New Orleans.

Murals in the eatery feature bright, bold colors, jazz musicians and French Quarter streetscapes. There is a canopy and iron railing over Popeyes' drive-through window.

Rinna said Popeyes has hired about 25 employees but may end up needing more in time.

"From what I've seen of the employees, we've got a really good crew here," he said.

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