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The fire that severely damaged Java Monkey in November shuttered several businesses in the area.

A recent edition of the Decatur Focus, a city-published newsletter, said two local businesses affected by the fire — Noodle and Fresh to Order — “should be cleared to reopen” in early January.

That timeline appears to be optimistic. Representatives of both companies said it will likely be several more weeks before they can reopen.

Meanwhile the man accused of starting the fire, ex-Java Monkey employee Rickey Thomas, has not been located.

In a Facebook message, Parker Hilley, the general manager of Noodle, said it is not yet clear when the restaurant would reopen.

“I talked to the foreman the other day and he said maybe a month or two, if the pace remains the same,” Hilley said. “But it’s a combination of the amount of work to do, and waiting on the city to issue the permits they need. We’re hoping to make some cosmetic updates to the front (which was not damaged by the fire) but we must wait for the fire damage repairs to be completed.”

Jason Rollins, Director of Operations for Fresh to Order, said the restaurant plans to reopen Feb. 4.

“We plan on doing a soft opening and then do a Grand Reopening,” he said via email. “We also plan on sending out some great offers through our Fresh to Order email club to let everyone know we are back and excited to serve the Decatur community again!”

The owner of Java Monkey said that business will take six or seven months to re-open.



