The only thing I will miss are the pigs.
Ready for spaghetti
Posted: 11/25/2009 11:51:36 PM PST
The Old Spaghetti Factory is opening its newest restaurant Dec. 7 in the brick building previously occupied by Babe's Slim Pig N's.
"Anytime, whether in good times, bad times, you are adding to your business inventory, it's time to celebrate," said Kathie Thurston, executive director of the Redlands Chamber of Commerce.
The restaurant hired 125 people, according to general manager Patrick Evans.
"We've done pretty significant hiring for the last few days," said Evans, who managed the Riverside restaurant for five years before taking over in Redlands. "That's our goal and we hope it stimulates the local economy."
"Adding businesses means adding jobs and that's what economic development is all about," Thurston said. "It circulates money back into the community."
Evans said the Riverside restaurant, which opened 19 years ago, sparked commerce in the area.
"Our Riverside location played a pretty large part in the redevelopment of downtown.
"I hope we can add to the economic situation out here," he said. "We want to be a solution to the problem (and) hope to drive traffic to the area."
Thurston said the location is ideal, and the restaurant brings a recognizable name to Redlands.
"Visitors and residents alike can identify. And it reflects Redlands values - it's a place people can take their families," Thurston said.
Evans said staff did not have to do much heavy construction inside.
"We're bringing in some of our own equipment," he said.
Each Old Spaghetti Factory has a trolley inside, Evans said. Babe's had an open kitchen, which the restaurant is keeping. One of the outside patios is now an enclosed dining room, Evans said.
He said each restaurant is a little different. The Redlands location will have historic photos.
He said although the restaurant and staff are sizable, it is personal and family-oriented.
"We are excited to bring an affordable dining option to the families of Redlands," Chris Dussin, president of the Dussin Group, the restaurant's parent company, stated in a news release.
Marie Callender's founder Don Callender opened Babe's Slim Pig N's, Spaghetti Factory's predecessor, in April 2005. The restaurant closed in October 2008 under unknown circumstances.
The 11,000-square-foot, two-level building cost $5 million. It has a capacity of 340 people, Evan said.
Babe's, which had a citrus packinghouse look, featured several statues of pigs, including a 1,700-pound model on the outside of the restaurant Callender obtained from art vendors in Rancho Mirage and Aspen, Colo. Prices for the bronze pigs ranged from $9,000 to $30,000.
The Old Spaghetti Factory will feature the Old Spaghetti Factory's "Complete Meals," which include a salad, freshly baked bread, entree, beverage and dessert for prices starting at $7.99. The restaurant's signature dish is spaghetti with mizithra cheese.
The Old Spaghetti Factory has 40 locations throughout the country, 16 in California. The restaurants are a privately held and family-owned business headquartered in Portland, Ore.
The restaurant chain is celebrating its 40th anniversary and was recently recognized by Parents magazine as one of the top 10 family-friendly restaurant chains in the United States, according to the company.
The Old Spaghetti Factory will be at 1635 Industrial Park Ave., Redlands. Hours are Monday-Thursday 5 to 10 p.m., Friday 5 to 10:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The restaurant will not take call-ahead seating, reservations or banquets until further notice, according to the company's Web site.
Information: www.osf.com .
Archived staff reports contributed to this article.
E-mail Staff Writer Joy Juedes at jjuedes@redlandsdailyfacts.com
No comments:
Post a Comment