07/08/2026
A Message to Our Connell Community
To our friends, neighbors, and the entire Connell community,
Since the Lamb Weston plant closed its doors in October 2024, I know things have been incredibly hard for so many in our town. The ripple effects of losing those jobs have cast a long shadow over Connell, and my heart goes out to every family whose livelihood was upended.
Not long ago, I was in those exact same shoes, feeling the pain and uncertainty of an unexpected job loss. That experience is what pushed me to take a leap of faith, open Papa Rays, and try to build a future here. I have always loved the closeness and support of a small town, and Connell has given that to me in spades.
However, the fallout from the plant closure has been tough on us, too. Many of our incredible employees have had to move out of town to find new opportunities, leaving us severely short-staffed. On top of the economic shift, we have had to navigate some other difficult, unseen challenges in recent months. I was raised to put my head down, work hard, and never make excuses—so we have just kept pushing forward. But between trying to run this business with a much smaller team and my wife and I preparing for our new baby, the weight has become incredibly heavy.
*Because of this, Papa Rays will be closed today.* I simply need to take a day to catch my breath, be with my family, and regroup.
We love serving this town, and we want to keep making the pizzas you love for as long as we can. We are hoping to lean on the strength of this community as we navigate this challenging chapter. When we reopen our doors, seeing your familiar faces and sharing a meal with you would mean the world to us right now.
Thank you for embracing us, for your understanding, and for always making Papa Rays feel like home. We look forward to firing up the ovens again for you soon.
With deepest gratitude,
The Papa Rays Family
