Happy Joe’s closes Hiawatha location

HIAWATHA — Happy Joe’s has closed its Hiawatha location with no notice to employees.

A Sept. 17 report from KCRG-TV9 reported that the pizza chain’s location at 1950 Blairs Ferry Rd. closed about three weeks ago.

Employees also report that they have not received their last paycheck after the abrupt closure, which came as a surprise to general manager Teagan Englert and the location’s team.

“The two Happy Joe’s locations owned by my companies continued to operate hoping the economy in this area would improve,” said franchise owner Gabe Bark in a statement to KCRG-TV9. “Unfortunately, this didn’t happen and the two stores were forced to close.”

“I’m sure it is of little comfort to the former employees; however, the companies have also not paid me during this time.”

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.