With a nod to the past, Duane’s House of Pizza prepares for a new era

FARGO (KVRR) – As major changes lie ahead at one of Fargo’s most iconic pizza parlors, special attention is being given to the restaurant’s history and nostalgia.

Duane’s House of Pizza has been churning out pizzas, chicken and jo-jo potatoes at its legendary South University Drive location since 1975, nearly five decades of producing what many believe is the finest pizza on the planet.

Soon, the building that’s been home to the restaurant will be nothing but a memory. But Jim Poolman, managing partner of an investment group that recently acquired Duane’s, promises that the pizza really isn’t going anywhere.

“We’re working with the developers on the BLOC building, right behind here, to create a brand new space, an exciting, clean environment, family-friendly” Poolman said.

“We hope to have that done and the development done within the next 8-10 months. So, this will then, obviously be torn down as we move into the location behind us.”

Duane’s history dates back to 1959. Duane Schultz was a manager at the House of Pizza in Moorhead. He eventually acquired the restaurant and renamed it “Duane’s House of Pizza.”

The original eatery is gone. But the south Fargo Duane’s, with its large picture windows and gabled roof, is perhaps the most famous location.

“Since we purchased it, I hear stories from people all the time…’my parents had their first date there,’ ‘we had a birthday party there that was super-special.’ All of those types of things are now coming out. It’s not unsurprising to me that the nostalgia of this place feeds the business continually, with a really good product.”

And Poolman says when the new restaurant finally opens its doors, customers will notice a few reminders from the past.

“We would like to preserve what the Schultz family did. It might be signage, it might be a couple of old booths. We’re exploring all of that,” Poolman said.

“One of the things that we don’t want to be lost with new ownership is the nostalgia and the brand and what has been created for Fargo-Moorhead.”

Duane’s District Manager Jesse Schanilec says the new location might even entice more people to give Duane’s a try for the first time.

“It’s going to be a very busy location. Getting things staffed, getting the right equipment in place, making sure the pizza is cooked exactly the same as it is here. It’s really important to us to keep that recipe and the same nostalgia with it.”

Plans are also being made to launch a new Duane’s website and a new app. If all goes as planned, Duane’s could be settled into its new home as early as next April.