Popular Market Square restaurant damaged by fire to reopen in July

PITTSBURGH — The popular Market Square restaurant NOLA on the Square, damaged by fire more than four months ago, is scheduled to reopen sometime in early July.

"Everything is full speed ahead now," said Nick Nicholas, who owns the buildings housing NOLA and a Bruegger's bakery-cafe next door. "There are no issues remaining, other than getting it finished and reopened."

Yves Carreau, owner of NOLA through the Big Y Group, said the fire started in ductwork above a pizza oven, though the cause remains unknown. Fire officials did not respond for comment through public safety spokeswoman Sonya Toler.

PBI Construction Co. of Gibsonia installed the Italian-made, wood-burning oven. Quality Mechanicals of Verona did ventilation work above the oven.

Insurance companies likely will go to court to determine who pays for the damage, Carreau said, adding that by the time crews complete renovation work, the claim will be around $1 million. That includes the cost of maintaining the business during the interruption, he said.

"Whatever we've lost in terms of business, the insurance is making up for," Carreau said. "We're coming out whole."

Smoke caused most of the damage, requiring all surfaces in the restaurant to be treated or replaced.

But for fans of the New Orleans-themed restaurant, which opened in March 2011, Carreau said nothing is changing.

"The restaurant is going to be identical," he said.

Channel 11’s news exchange partners at TribLIVE contributed to this report.

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