OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — When restaurant owner Ahmad Nazar was inside his business Saturday afternoon, he heard a crash from outside his storefront. Looking out, he was staring into his own basement just before New Year's Eve.
Dozens were planning to welcome 2019 inside Ahmad's Persian Cuisine off 10th and Howard Streets until Mother Nature opened a hole on the sidewalk Saturday afternoon.
"I was in the kitchen and I heard a big sound," Nazar said. "Then I noticed this hole in front of the restaurant."
Now Nazar is calling off the celebration because he's had to make phone calls and explain to customers that he's closed for the time being, instead of doing his usual dinner service. This is all thanks to the sidewalk caving in.
"It's risky to walk over this," Nazar said. "I've been getting lots of phone calls with people adding to their parties and that's sad."
3 News Now reached out to the city on Sunday to get an idea how long this repair will take. When Nazar talked to the city on Saturday, he was told he will have to wait to reopen.
"After the holidays [the city is] going to come look and decide what to do," Nazar said.
"They're going to take care of it. Everything's going to be alright, It's just going to take time. I don't know how long, but we'll see."
After talking to Nazar, other Old Market restaurants surprised him with a GoFundMe page to help repair the sidewalk. You can help by donating here.
