The former Dari-Hut in Bradford likely will be turned into a pizza parlor next year that would also offer ice cream and other menu items.

Renna’s Pizza is expected to open a location in the East Main Street location in February or March, according to owner Lonnie Ours of Eldred. He also has a Renna’s Pizza in the Olean Center Mall and Renna’s West & Mio Gelato Cafe in Olean.

“I hope the City of Bradford likes Renna’s. We’re coming,” he said on Friday. 

And if the current traffic from the Bradford area for Renna’s Pizza in Olean is any indication, Bradford area residents will surely patronize Renna’s Pizza in McKean County. In recent years area residents have been asking about a Renna’s location in Bradford. 

This year he decided to take the step and started to look at a few locations for the restaurant — the Bradford Mall in Foster Township and Valu Home Center in Bradford. The area he chose — at 444 East Main St. — has 10,000 vehicles pass by a day, according to Ours.

He is hoping to close on the property by Jan. 1. The Dari-Hut, which has been at the corner of South Kendall Avenue and East Main Street for many years, closed earlier this year when the owner passed away.

In the coming months, plans call for patrons of Renna’s to enjoy a proposed menu of pizza, ice cream, hamburgers, subs, curly fries and possibly fish fry.

Things are already taking shape for a Renna’s Pizza in Bradford. Two pizza ovens are expected to arrive next week. In addition to those appliances, Ours plans to put a big mixer and a hood in the establishment.

Although the Bradford has plenty of pizza places, Ours is not concerned about competition.

“We have the same competition in Olean. So, I think we’ll be good,” Ours said.

What sets Renna’s pizza apart from the others? Ours says it’s the recipe — the food is homemade and includes special sauce.

Renna’s has been in operation for 35 years.