Last week Pizza on 50th and France DBA Carbone’s Pizza filed a lawsuit against the city of Hastings regarding the sale of 1290 North Frontage Road “which resulted in their loss of lease and income,” according to the city’s November PFAS update.
The city council went into a closed session last Monday during their regular city council meeting with City Attorney Greta Bjerkness to discuss the city’s “defense strategy and possibility of resolution,” said Mayor Mary Fasbender at the meeting.
Earlier this year in June, both Carbone’s Pizzeria and Stacy’s Stars Dance Studio were moved from 1290 North Frontage Road by the city of Hastings in order to construct the central water treatment plant on that site.
The site was chosen in part due to its proximity to the nitrates treatment facility next door, for a relatively central location between wells and in order to not place the large facility within Lion’s Park.
Both businesses were presented with a 90-day vacation notice at the beginning of April meaning they had to vacate the property by the end of June.
The city worked with SRF Consulting in order to assist both businesses with the move, including finding a new location and some of the expenses that went along with it.
In an April interview with the Hastings Journal, Rich Magnuson, Owner of the Hastings Carbone’s Pizzeria, had called the initial announcement that the long-standing business would be forced to move a “gut punch at first.”
In the weeks afterword, however, Magnuson became more optimistic about the change referencing cooperation with the city of Hastings, a loyal local customer base, and communication with local property owners on a future potential site.
In particular, Magnuson mentioned the benefits of moving to a location with more foot traffic and therefore potential dine-in opportunities over their current location on a frontage road, as well as the ability to have a rentable party room or event space, which the previous location lacked.
Unlike Stacy’s Stars, moving a commercial kitchen requires a lot of specific equipment which limited the options of possible new locations, especially since Magnuson had intentions of attempting to stay within Hastings. At that time, Magnuson said they were primarily looking at other sites with existing kitchens.
“We are embracing it and looking forward to the challenge and opportunity,” said Magnuson in that same April interview, estimating that the restaurant would open at its new location in July.
As of August, Carbone’s had begun work on a new undisclosed location estimating that the business would open in 6-8 weeks.
The building at the North Frontage Road location was demolished earlier this fall, with construction on the central water treatment plant expected to extend through 2026.
Last Wednesday, October Oct. 29 Pizza on 50th and France DBA Carbone’s Pizza filed a lawsuit against the city according to City Administrator Dan Wietecha.