FARGO -- The Bison Turf in north Fargo will reopen to the public on Tuesday, May 8, after a soft opening Friday evening, May 4.

The soft opening is by invitation only, according to Shantel Herr, general manager of the business located at 1211 N. University Drive.

The Bison Turf has been closed since a fire heavily damaged the business in July 2016.

According to the city of Fargo inspections office, the business passed its final building permit inspection late this week.

Owner Pete Sabo had announced several times that the business was on the verge of opening, but he said delays occurred associated with meeting building permit requirements.

Sabo said in a 2017 interview that the project would have happened quicker and more cheaply if he had leveled the entire former structure and started from scratch.

Instead, he decided to retain the building's front half, including distinctive glass-block windows, a decision that forced demolition teams to take more time and care.

"It's way more work than building new," Sabo said in 2017, adding that booths and other fixtures untouched by the fire were also reused, something he felt will be appreciated by longtime Bison Turf fans.

"When they walk in, they're going to have the exact same feeling," Sabo said. “Customers will also see many familiar faces.”

Sabo was on the road Friday, May 4, but said by phone he expected to be back in Fargo in time for the Friday afternoon soft opening.

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