Owner Plans To Reopen Outpost Pizza In Westport After Crash

WESTPORT, CT — The owner of a Westport pizzeria hopes to reopen his doors to customers next month following a motor vehicle accident that significantly damaged the restaurant's building.

On June 27, a vehicle struck Outpost Pizza on Main Street around 3 a.m., forcing the business to shut down and make repairs. At the time of the incident, Assistant Building Official Peter Howard said the damage was "substantial but repairable."

While owner Joe Dedovic initially hoped to re-open in a couple weeks, the pizzeria is still closed as of Thursday, however he is optimistic the business will open again soon.

"We're coming down the stretch on it," Dedovic said. "Obviously because of the short supply and demand in the construction world, everything has been delayed. I thought I would open up by [mid-July], but we've had a hard time pretty much getting certain materials."

According to Dedovic, the contractor working on repairs at the restaurant should be wrapping up work by the end of the week, and next week will be spent cleaning, organizing and getting everything ready to reopen. If all goes according to plan, Dedovic hopes to reopen during the first week of August.

"I'm definitely eager," Dedovic said. "This kind of interrupted my whole routine. It kind of took the wind out of our sails because we were settling in, the staff was starting to run smooth and we started getting a good routine and a good handle on everything. Then this happened."

Outpost Pizza also operates a location on West Avenue in Stamford.

At the time of the incident, the driver of the vehicle and two passengers were taken to a hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries. Police Lt. Dave Wolf said Wednesday there have not been any updates regarding the crash at this time.

See also: Vehicle Hits, Damages Westport Pizzeria: Police

For Dedovic, reopening the Westport location after the incident has been like starting all over.

"It's pretty much like starting from scratch again, to be quite honest," Dedovic said. "It's back to the advertisement, getting to the reopening, organizing, prepping, cleaning, letting people know that we're open again."

One thing that has boosted Dedovic's spirits since the incident has been the love and support he has received from customers.

"Honestly, I was a bit surprised and also thankful," Dedovic said. "It built in a confidence, to be honest. It shows you that [customers] are going to support you, they like your product...they want you in the town, so it gives you that confidence to want to come back because you're wanted. I appreciate it tremendously."

In addition to emails and phone calls, some customers have even reached out to offer their help should Dedovic need some extra hands.

"I truly do thank the town for their support and their concern," Dedovic said. "I was surprised and truly grateful for it."

While repairs have been underway, Dedovic has taken time to apply for a beer and wine license, which he'll be introducing at the restaurant soon.

He also noted the Westport location is looking for extra help and urged anyone interested to contact him at the Stamford location.

Mostly, Dedovic is looking forward to firing up the pizza oven in Westport again and getting pies out to his loyal, and loving, customers.

"I'm hoping it's going to feel like I never left," Dedovic said. "It's going to be a little surreal...I'm just hoping I step right into it as if nothing happened, and hopefully as soon as we open those doors everybody comes right back in and we continue going as we did prior."