Castlewood, Va., Business Rebounds After Summer Storm Damage

CASTLEWOOD, Va. – Pizza Town, which lost its roof during a storm last summer, has been rebuilt and renamed.

"We decided to change the name – like a new start," said Hunter Johnson, an assistant manager at the restaurant, which is now called Romano’s II.

"Business is doing about twice what it was. ... Probably the biggest positive thing to come out of it is the change, and change for the better."

After more than six months of renovation, the restaurant reopened in February.

"I’m just glad to be back open," said owner Lino Romano, who described his customers as "some of the greatest people I’ve ever met."

The July 31 storm, which National Weather Service officials said contained a downburst, had winds between 70-80 mph, which is on the scale of an EF1 tornado.

A 19-year-old Glade Spring, Va., man was killed during the storm when debris fell on his vehicle.

Romano said the storm, which left a swath of destruction through town, was hard to comprehend.

But, he said, "As long as Castlewood’s still here, I’m going to be there."

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