FARGO (KVRR) – As big changes come to one of Fargo’s most famous pizzerias, special attention is being paid to the restaurant’s history and nostalgia.
Duane’s House of Pizza has been producing pizza, chicken and yo-yo potatoes at its legendary South University Drive location since 1975, making what many consider to be the best pizza in the world for nearly five decades.
Soon, the building that housed the restaurant will be just a memory. But Jim Poolman, managing partner of an investment group that recently acquired Duane’s, promises that the pizza really isn’t going anywhere.
“We are working with the developers of the BLOC building right behind us to create a brand new space, an exciting, clean and family-friendly environment,” Poolman said.
“We hope to complete this and the development within the next 8 to 10 months. It will then, of course, be demolished when we move to the site behind us.”
Duane’s history dates back to 1959. Duane Schultz was the manager at the House of Pizza in Moorhead. He eventually purchased the restaurant and renamed it Duane’s House of Pizza.
The original restaurant no longer exists, but the South Fargo Duane’s, with its large picture windows and gabled roof, is perhaps the most famous restaurant.
“Ever since we bought it, I’ve been hearing stories from people all the time… ‘My parents had their first date there,’ ‘We had a birthday party there that was really special.’ All of those things are coming out now. It doesn’t surprise me that the nostalgia of that place is continually feeding the business with a really good product.”
And Poolman says when the new restaurant finally opens its doors, customers will notice some reminders of the past.
“We want to preserve what the Schultz family did. That might be signs, maybe some old booths. We’re looking into all of that,” Poolman said.
“We don’t want the nostalgia and the brand and what was created for Fargo-Moorhead to be lost with the new ownership.”
Duane’s District Manager Jesse Schanilec says the new location could entice even more people to try Duane’s for the first time.
“It’s going to be a very busy place. We have to get staff, get the right equipment and make sure the pizza is made the same way it is here. It’s really important to us to keep that recipe and the nostalgia that comes with it.”
There are also plans to launch a new Duane’s website and app. If all goes according to plan, Duane’s could move into its new home as early as next April.
