On the morning of Thursday, November 18th, the fire at Caligula was so fierce that it took firefighters most of the day to control it. The business is currently closed and the property has been fenced until the debris can be removed.

Several people have called to ask if the Rizos' plan to rebuild. On December 7th, I spoke with Dawn Rizos, wife of Nick Rizos. She explained that they do not own the building, but are bound by a long-term lease, with fourteen years remaining. The terms of their contract require that they maintain insurance which will substantially cover the costs to rebuild. They estimate that it will take 4 - 6 months.

The new building will have the same total square footage as before, but with an upgraded facade, with no flashing lights. She stated that as you drive along Northwest Highway, it will not stand out as being a sexually oriented business.

She further stated that their licenses are currently suspended, but will be restored when the building construction is completed.

Nick and Dawn also own Rizos' Pizza (formerly Olympic Pizza) and The Lodge, an S.O.B. located on Spangler at Northwest Highway, behind Mercado Juarez.

By Linda Neel