Gumby’s Pizza, which was shut down Sept. 28 after failing a Wake County health inspection, is planning to reopen its doors.

It scored a 60.5, one of the lowest in recent memory, according to Frances Breedlove, food sanitation section chief of Wake County department of environmental services.

Breedlove was quoted in a Oct. 2 Technician article saying that Gumby’s received the failing score because inspectors found food stored at improper temperatures, the restaurant did not handle and store food properly, and utensils were not appropriately cleaned and sanitized.

In the article, he also mentioned the restaurant did not have paper towels accessible and had problems with garbage cans and dumpsters.

Chance Hippler, Gumby’s co-founder, said his lawyers are allowing him to reopen Gumby’s in 10 days. He said he will be able to keep Gumby’s open until he goes to court and appeals his case, which could take approximately five to six months.

“This is outrageous. I feel I’ve been Nifonged by the health department,” Hippler said. “It is very important that we open again so we don’t lose our loyal customers.”

Hippler said to eventually open Gumby’s legally, it would have to be relicensed “and that isn’t going to happen” at the current location. He said however, he does have plans to move to a new location in six months.

According to Hippler, current code standards would require more than $200,000 of work to make the Hillsborough Street building, built under the 1988 code, meet the 2007 code.

“It’s an old building,” Hippler said. “And the lease might be revoked when the building is demolished in 6 months so it would not be economical to invest so much money into a sinking ship.”

Hippler said through the inspection process, he feels like the Gumby’s name has been slandered.

“We were shutdown by the health department. We have quaility food that we prepare [with good sanitation],” he said. “Its been a nightmare dealing with this.”

Hippler said it’s inexplicable why the pizza joint failed to pass inspection.

“It is extremely unfortunate that we were closed down,” Hippler said. “It is very bad for business and I beg N.C. State students not forget about Gumby’s Pizza.”

Christopher Davis, a freshman in chemistry, said he can’t wait until Gumby’s is back in business.

“Before they closed down I ate pizza rolls three nights a week,” Davis said.

Kayleigh Bouchillon, a freshman in First Year College, said she looks forward to ordering a large order of Pokey Stix, when Gumby’s reopens.

The franchise location on Hillsborough Street brings in the most revenue of all 25 restaurants , according to Hippler. The first store dated back to 1985, which was opened to serve the students at the University of Florida in Gainesville.