FERRIDAY, La. — To hear her tell it, owner Gloria Martello didn’t have much choice but to reopen Brocato’s, the homestyle restaurant her family has operated on Ferriday’s main street for 51 years.

&uot;Everybody had a fit when we said we were closing. They’ve been calling, asking us to reconsider,&uot; Martello said.

She closed the restaurant on April 15, mostly because of the toll Ferriday’s 124-day water crisis and the removal of video poker machines had taken on the business.

So Martello is reopening the landmark, although slowly at first. On Saturday, Martello — a member of Ferriday High’s Class of ’54 — only opened the restaurant at lunch as a meeting place for Ferriday High alumni who are planning a reunion for later this month.

From now through June 3, the restaurant will only be open on Saturdays. Then starting June 5, the restaurant will be open Monday through Saturday, but with new hours — 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., since supper is the eatery’s slowest time.

The restaurant has removed its buffet but will still serve breakfast and will offer hamburgers and other homestyle dishes, such as spaghetti, for lunch.

Brocato’s regulars who were also at Saturday’s reunion meeting said they welcome the chance to eat again at the restaurant they have frequented since high school.

&uot;We told her she better&uot; reopen the restaurant, Mary Beth Porter said with a laugh. &uot;She’s a longtime friend. We’re thrilled it’ll be open again.&uot;

&uot;And I&160;bet all the men who come in here for coffee will be glad, too,&uot;&160;said Mary Ann Hawkins, referring to the crowds of regulars who come into the restaurant for hot java and conversation.