Niki's owners say opening is this week

Niki Fournaris

Several months ago, the sign went up in the Live Oak Shopping Center, and locals began to remember the pizza, sandwiches, lasagna and Greek dishes that were favorites at Niki's former location which Hurricane Dennis destroyed in 2005.

Now, Niki's owners John and Bill Fournaris, who, along with mother Niki, say the doors will open next week, and locals can again experience the same menu with a few additions such as appetizers, desserts and a large selection of Greek wines as well as imported and domestic beer.

The signmaker, a patron of Niki's, expedited the sign while work to clean and remodel the interior of the location, formerly Quizno's, was underway.

The well wishers who kept stopping by to talk interrupted much of the work, so paper went up on the windows.

The biggest delay was getting the hoods custom made to fit the space.

The new restaurant seats 45, and be open from 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday.