About a year after a four-alarm blaze destroyed the Greenville Ave Italian restaurant, Terilli's announces they'll reopen by June 1.
Construction has begun on the location, which is planned to have a exterior historically accurate to the original 1911 structure. New elements, including a mezzanine level, rooftop patio, larger bar area, and a new kitchen will help update the look -- though owner Jeannie Terilli says there will be room for "some surprises" in the design as well.
"We are ready to get back," Terilli said in the announcement. "The fire was a tragedy for us, but after 25 years of serving Terilli's Tex-Italian food, we are eager to rebuild and deliver another 25 years of service to our loyal patrons."
Though the building won't be open in time for Greenville's annual St. Patrick's Day festivities, Terilli's will take part in the party by selling food and beer in front of their under construction location.
For fans of the landmark restro, the reopening can't come soon enough. Terilli's says hundreds of patrons have phoned and e-mailed asking when the eatery would be open. Some patrons have even taken part in the Friends of Terilli's Brick Wall program that lets diners buy and personalize a brick that will be used in the construction.
