Snapshots of History November 16, 2023
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Mount Ayr’s Breadeaux Pizza in 2006.
Did you ever lie awake at night wondering how many “chain” restaurants Mount Ayr has had? Yeah, me too.
Today, we’ll look at number 3 in the order….Breadeaux Pisa.
I took this week’s photo in November of 2006, the month Breadeaux moved from its original building. I wanted to get the sign in the photo, but I got the old Hand Realty trailer in the shot, as well.
But Breadeaux didn’t start out in a building, did it?
Breadeaux Pisa was originated in Corning, Iowa in 1985 and still has 14 locations open in a five state area. The first appearance in Mount Ayr was in August 1987 in the form of a trailer called a “mobile kitchen.”
The trailer was parked in Skelly’s driveway on the south side of the square. The trailer appeared every Friday from 4 to 9 pm.
That endeavor must’ve been successful as Breadeaux Pisa had a ribbon-cutting ceremony in early March 1988 at 306 W. South Street with Rita Culbertson as manager. This location, seen above, was previously the Iowa State Liquor Store. The liquor store was built in 1974 and closed on July 1, 1987.
There was another ribbon-cutting in June 1989 for the new owners of Breadeaux Pisa, Mark and Lori Reed (Reed Farms of Lenox). Strong competition for Breadeaux would come in April 1991 when Extremes Pizza offered free delivery.
In the winter of 1995-96, the restaurant at 306 W. South Street was remodeled and an open house was held in April 1996 to commemorate the event.
In 1997, Breadeaux Pisa celebrated ten years in Mount Ayr and Charlene Ford was the manager at this time.
Another event in 1997 was the corporate decision to change the name of Breadeaux “Pisa” to Breadeaux “Pizza.” I wonder why that was necessary.
More sleepless nights.
In early September 2002, Khaled and Rhonda Abdalla bought Breadeaux Pizza from Bill and Janet Reed. A ribbon-cutting was held later that month. Khaled “Kimo” and Rhonda already owned the Mount Ayr Diner at 904 E. South Street and would operate both restaurants in their respective locations.
In the fall of 2004, Breadeaux added an Italian menu called Basil’s Italian Cafe.
In November 2006, the Abdallas moved Breadeaux to their Mount Ayr Diner location, now called Frosty’s, at 904 E. South St.
In the spring of 2007, the Abdallas moved to Des Moines leaving Kenny Cloud (Rhonda’s brother) in charge of operations at Breadeaux Pizza. Hours of operation at this time were 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 .pm. Sundays.
An advertisement in the November 6, 2008 Mount Ayr Record-News announced Breadeaux is under the new management of Eric and Virginia Swank. That’s the last information I have on Breadeaux Pizza.
Okay, the chain restaurants I know of in Mount Ayr are: Dairy Sweet (1956), Dog N Suds (1965), Breadeaux (1987), Blimpie (1995), and Subway (2007).
Dog N Suds is still an active chain; we could get them back!
