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"I guess I look at it as an opportunity to make Wib's even better," said Judy Hoffman, who co-owns the Jackson restaurant with her husband, A.D.
When A.D. Hoffman left Wib's Drive-In at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, his restaurant was intact. When he returned an hour later with his son to finish closing up, they found a wall had been hit near the main entrance.
"It was kind of a shock," he said.
Neither he nor his son noticed the exterior damage upon arrival. "It was dark; the lights were all off." Hoffman said.
Inside, Hoffman's son noticed one of the tables had been knocked away from the wall into the center of the dining area. Wood wall panels were bowed out on the inside wall.
On the outside, the concrete wall had large cracks. The windows were not broken, but the Hoffmans were told the windows could break if builders tried to relieve pressure on the bowed wall. The front door of the restaurant will not open.
Hoffman did not find broken headlights or a detached bumper; he only saw blue chips of paint on the wall.
"That was the odd part," he said.
Hoffman also said there were no skid marks indicating the vehicle's approach to the restaurant, only marks indicating it left.
Hoffman called the police after he saw the damage. Lt. Rodney Barnes of the Jackson Police Department was unavailable for comment Friday, but Hoffman said he had heard of no leads.
A contractor and an insurance adjuster the Hoffmans contacted estimated the initial cost of the damage between $25,000 and $26,000. However, the cost may increase if other damage is discovered. The roof and the two adjoining walls may have been affected, but the contractor and adjuster cannot determine that yet. In the short term, the Hoffmans will install a temporary wall.
The insurance company will cover most of the repairs. The Hoffmans will only be responsible for a $250 deductible.
"I've got that to be thankful for," A.D. Hoffman said. "I'd hate to be sitting there with no insurance."
Since the kitchen at Wib's Drive-In was not affected by the crash, the restaurant can stay open for takeout but won't offer dining in for the time being.
Both Hoffmans were concerned about the success of their business in the wake of the crash.
"We have noticed people driving by and leaving," Judy Hoffman said. "It'd be nice if people know we're still open, help keep us in business during this time."
Employees have also been affected by the crash because the Hoffmans had to modify employee schedules, Judy Hoffman said. Instead of having six to eight people, the drive-in will have four to six people work regularly.
335-6611, extension 197
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Comments
WIB's is GREAT! Yum, Yum! Don't worry Mr. Hoffman...those who love your food will come no matter whether its take out or not! Hope business keeps steady for you through the repairs.
I agree...nothing like Wibb's BBQ! When I lived out of state for 17 years, always planned my trips home around Wibb's hours of operation...as they were my first stop when I arrived in town! (Never visited during their July vacation and never traveled on Sundays or Mondays.) Best of luck with the repairs.
Second stop was ******'s Bakery, hope they open back up soon!
Third stop, family. hehe
W-i-l-l-i-e's Bakery (can't believe W-i-l-l-i-e's is an edited word?)
I make it back to Cape from Florida at least once a year and make more than one pilgrimage to Wibbs while I'm there. If I didn't Fed-Ex my kid a Brown Hot care package, he'd be disappointed.
I can't explain what the attraction is - it's certainly not quantity - but I haven't found the Wibbs' taste at any other place in the country.
Maybe the damage was caused by an over-eager customer.
The sandwiches may be a little thinner, but the taste is the same. We've been going to Wib's since I was a little girl ( a long time ago). It's always a treat and a trip down memory lane. I hope they don't change too much. It wouldn't be the nostalgic trip we look forward to. Maybe they could keep one section exactly the same and add on. It would be like stepping back in time.
It may have been the same genius who drove into the front of the Jackson Post Office a couple years ago.
i was there a couple months ago.... taste of meat not bad but not much of it. and the bread was too toasted..... way brown,,,.. maybe to cover up for old bead? stale?
i was there a couple months ago.... taste of meat not bad but not much of it. and the bread was too toasted..... way brown,,,.. maybe to cover up for old bead? stale?
I love the place and I like my toasted brown :) BBQ taste like no other place. I've had to take a bag full when I visited folks out of town - they miss the taste.
I would like extra pimento cheese on mine!
Either the driver was angry he could not get a BBQ at 9 p.m..Or maybe SHE was talking on her cell phone and not paying attention.
I have fond memories of Web's as a child; I remember going from Perryville to Cape (way back before the interstate) with my parents and we always stopped at Web's. I wonder how long that place has been in business? Are the current owners related to the original owner? This place is a part of Southeast Missouri history; I bet alot of people don't realize...