When the emotions of the August 2024 fire in Uptown Clinton were still raw, and the House of Pizza team fully understood how close one of their own had coming to dying in the massive blaze, Narmeen Abojamoos told The Chronicle’s editorial staff that if the iconic restaurant were ever going to re-open, it would be in Uptown Clinton.
Immediately, everybody started brain-storming an idea. “What about this building? What about that building?”
“What about that building that’s near the downtown business district?” No, Narmeen would not budge an inch. It HAD TO BE Uptown Clinton.
To locate anywhere else, well, that would mean that the fire had won.
Today (July 2), it became official - with a ribbon-cutting, a look-around and, of course, the buffet, House of Pizza has re-opened on Musgrove Street.
Dabs Davis, Laurens County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, got things organized. “House of Pizza is such a staple for the Clinton community; and after the hurricane and the fire, all the stuff that happened in 2024, Narmeen has done such a fabulous job of bringing House of Pizza back and making it better than ever. We appreciate y’all coming to celebrate with her and her team and her staff.”
The HOP team was standing in front of what used to be Presbyterian College’s Freshens restaurant and student-gathering spot, and before that was the college bookstore. All that, now, is back on campus and that allowed PC to sell this building to Narmeen Abojamoos. After that came months of design and planning, inspections and permits, all in a building that sits right beside the gaping hole in Uptown Clinton. Three businesses used to sit there - House of Pizza in the former Roses, Aspin & Figs gift shop, and Kingdom Builders events-venue. Hoyt Hanvey Jewelers was damaged.
Today, HOP is re-opened. Aspin & Figs is in a North Broad Street new home; Kingdom Builders is yet to be decided; and Hoyt Hanvey Jewelers has returned to its renovated building, after a short stint two doors down.
The City of Clinton owns the burn site, now muddy from recent rains.
It is a blank slate for re-development.
Clinton City Council has been told that design architect Blake Sanders will conduct visioning meetings with council and citizens about the Clinton Economic Development Corporation-owned property on Musgrove Street where the businesses were destroyed by an August, 2024 inferno. Visioning sessions will be scheduled soon, Randall said last Wednesday, and Clinton residents will be asked what they would like to see in this prime real estate, ready for development.
“Thank you on behalf of the city of Clinton,” Randall said to the HOP re-opening crowd. “This is such a wonderful day for all of us. This has been a big hole in our hearts and in our stomachs for getting all this good food; and we are just happy for y’all. This is an important part of this downtown business area and this (re-opening) has worked out, and we are grand opening and ribbon cutting.”
For her part, Narmeen Abojamoos thanked “everyone for being here - after everything we went through, it means a lot. It’s a new beginning. House of Pizza is back better than ever. We thank everybody for being here and for your support as well.”
Everyone enjoyed a brunch buffet and had the ability to see the second level bar and the third level events-venue area. As an added treat for the re-opening, Pelican’s Snoballs was on-site across from the Musgrove Street mural.
House of Pizza Clinton is open 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. 5 days a week, and 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, at 112 Musgrove St. Call 833-1234, and delivery is available. Also check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/houseofpizzaclinton
