According to the Grand Junction Free Press, “After nine months the Hot Tomato Cafe and Pizzeria in Fruita is about to be reborn.”

“In June, owners Jen Zeuner and Anne Keller closed the cafe at 201 E. Aspen after a dispute with the landlord regarding rent and building improvements. Customers helped wage a “Save the Tomato” campaign but Zeuner and Keller decided to not renew the lease while they considered other options. Since opening in 2005, the Hot Tomato had become a popular Fruita fixture with everyone, from school kids to city officials.  They wanted to purchase a property and reopen around the corner at 124 N. Mulberry, but discovered a chemical contamination there first had to undergo a costly EPA cleanup. The site used to be a dry cleaning business. Zeuner and Keller traveled to the Northwest for five weeks to talk things over. While traveling they received e-mails from friends and loyal customers urging them to reopen. Many offered to help.”