CINCINNATI — Alabama Fish Bar has finally reopened Thursday after someone plowed through its front entrance with a pickup truck and left a gaping hole on Oct. 4.
The seafood restaurant is currently serving its food from a temporary walk-up window along Race Street as 3CDC, the restaurant's landlord, waits for materials needed to replace the permanent storefront.
The crash came just a short time after the restaurant was closed for extensive renovations. No one was injured in the crash, though the crash was startling to those who watched it happen.
"I've never seen anything of such nature, so I was shocked. I was stunned. I didn't really know what to think," said Erica Shields, a regular at the restaurant.
Friends with some of the employees, Shields said she did not wait for the dust to settle before rushing in to make sure everyone was OK. She said it was a blessing no one was hurt considering the loyal customers who usually arrive around that time.
"Normally there's a line lined up down the street to eat, but today, there happened not to be a long line, so thank God nobody got hurt," Shields said.
Police said the driver of the truck was taken into custody for driving under the influence. Their name has not been released.
The renovations on the storefront are expected to be finished in January 2023, and the temporary walk-up window will then close.
Alabama Fish Bar is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
