By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

A beloved Durham eatery, closed after July 4 flooding, has been sold to new owners who plan to have it open before the holidays.

Wendell and Linda Wedel, who operated Main St. Café 24 years, decided it was not worth it to repair and reopen the café after nearly 32 inches of water filled the café at the height of flooding from a 7-inch rain.

Although his insurance would cover many expenses, it would not cover the cost of rebuilding the gutted structure, Wedel said at the time.

The Wedels signed a contract Saturday to sell the café to Mark and Kris Wiebe, who plan to have it open as soon as they are able.

As for Wedel, he plans to explore his options in marketing homemade sausage.

Mark Wiebe, owner of Landmark Electric, and Kris Wiebe, an experienced baker who markets her goods at farmer’s markets in the area, will add more bakery items and change the name to Main St. Café and Bakery.

“We’ve been doing a lot of baked goods out of our kitchen for several years,” Wiebe said.

The menu won’t change much, Wiebe said.

Friday night buffet will continue under the Wiebes’ ownership.

“We do intend to have some barbecue meats on the menu, at least on Friday nights and possibly other days,” he said.

The café’s phone number will remain the same, and Wiebe said a voice message will tell hungry customers when the café will reopen its doors.

Wedel said he hadn’t even listed the café for sale after the flood.

“I’m shocked that it sold this soon without my having contacted anybody,” Wedel said.