A popular and beloved Old Mandeville pizzeria is now "indefinitely closed" after a fire damaged its kitchen early Monday.

A fire broke out at McClain's Pizzeria, located on Girod Street just steps from Lake Pontchartrain, around 2 a.m. Monday, leaving the large extended family that operates the business without a source of income.

“It’s a true family business," said Deanna Dearing, a social media representative for McClain's. The restaurant is operated by McClain and Maggie Balmer. Their kids and parents work there, Dearing said.

“I can’t imagine what I would do if all of my opportunity for income was just taken away overnight," Dearing said.

The Mandeville Fire Department responded to a fire alarm around 1:50 a.m. on Monday, said Jason Kaufmann, the chief of fire prevention for the de

See Full Page