Leaving spouse and children organization not effortless

John, Tony and George Venturella know it is going to be tough.

You really don’t just turn off the lights, lock the doorway and stroll absent from a cafe like the Casa Lu Al. Not when it has been in your household for 61 many years, and in John and Tony’s circumstance, began by their father George and his brother Dominic.

But they also know the time is suitable for a improve in daily life, and on Saturday, the longtime household cafe will provide up its final plate of pasta.

“It’s a make a difference of retiring for Tony and me,” explained John. “For George, it’s a time to attempt a little something unique.”

Due to the fact generating the announcement of its closing two weeks back, the ambiance at Casa Lu Al has been that of a last rock ‘n’ roll tour.

Monday was regular of what they’ve been suffering from. Soon prior to 3 p.m., the restaurant’s parking large amount was approximately loaded as anxious folks waited for it to open up. For the relaxation of the day, finding a parking spot would have to have a chunk of luck.

Within, John, Tony and George had been currently being questioned to pose for photos and to indicator menus, which customers ended up getting household with them as souvenirs.

“I realized we would be busy, but I did not fairly count on this,” explained Tony.

He shouldn’t have been shocked.

The Casa is a area where by times shared with consumers have been special and reminiscences priceless.

“You know you have been carrying out something correct when many moments in the newspaper’s obituaries, it would say that obtaining dinner at Casa was just one of the person’s favored items to do,” John pointed out. “We’ve been component of baptisms, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, rehearsal dinners … all varieties of relatives celebrations.”

As for exclusive times:

“George seated a pair who advised him they arrived because their 1st blind date was at the Casa, and George, just by probability, had seated them at the very same desk they experienced 21 years back,” John explained. “Another pair has appear in here to rejoice each individual anniversary — and they’ve been married about 40 years.”

Then there are the reminiscences of the third-shift crowds and significant university sports fans.

Tony recalled, “We employed to be open to 2:30 in the early morning. Dana and Ford all had three shifts and our kitchen served sandwiches right until 2 a.m. and the bar stayed open up till closing. We did not have a rowdy crowd … just a bunch of relatives men who had been unwinding after do the job.”

During the superior faculty sports year, the restaurant would have a surge of business enterprise in advance of and following game titles.

“In in between, we would restock the cooler,” explained Tony. “Referees generally stopped immediately after a activity and combined with the followers. It was a enjoyment time.”

The Casa has seen improve around the years. When the two Venturella brothers acquired it in 1960, it was referred to as the Blinking Owl and was additional of a bar. There was a minimal foodstuff menu and it was open up seven days. John joined the small business in 1974 and additional of an emphasis was set on foodstuff. Tony arrived aboard in 1982 and “young George” started as an 8-12 months-old, busing tables, and has managed the bar room for the final 25 decades.

Lengthy ago, the family members announced it would be shut on Sundays, a little something that retains real right now.

“Dad mentioned if you couldn’t make it working six days a 7 days, it wasn’t likely to assist you working a seventh,” John said. “I imagine around the yrs persons revered and appreciated we weren’t open up on Sundays.”

What is upcoming for the cafe and its 57 employees is anyone’s guess.

“We’ve obtained a good crew. I’ll match our kitchen and provider versus any individual,” Tony stated.

John reported 1 individual explained to him she could land a different job correct now, but she was likely to remain with Casa till the close. “We’ve constantly tried to be good with people today, even providing a income-sharing program. We have had a lot of people do the job below a lot more than 20 many years,” he claimed.

It’s possible someone could buy the cafe. Lots of thought that would be George, and for this reason a 3rd era getting in excess of the household enterprise. That thought transformed when Tony was hospitalized for a month with COVID. All three — John, Tony and George — for distinctive good reasons recognized it was time to go on.

“When you get into this small business, you know it is evenings and weekends, skipped family weddings and missed sporting occasions in which your little ones are taking part in. Your function schedule is anyone else’s recreational timetable. That is it in a nutshell,” said Tony.

He appears to be ahead to far more household time with wife Colleen, as does John with wife Diana and George with wife Annette.

George explained he’ll in no way overlook functioning for his father and uncle Tony.

“I would not be the person I am nowadays without having those people two,” he mentioned. “They confirmed me the way to do the job, and for that, I’m very grateful and will generally cherish.”

All a few know the times top up to Saturday will be psychological.

“No question we’ll pass up all the excellent folks who have walked as a result of these doors,” John said. “As Bob Hope utilised to sing numerous several years back, ‘Thanks for the Recollections.’”

Casa Lu Al marks the conclusion of an era

Jim Krumel is the editor of The Lima News. Speak to him at 567-242-0391 or at The Lima Information, 3515 Elida Street, Lima, Ohio 45807.