Post by Jam Burgler on Sept 22, 2004 12:12:36 GMT -5
Luigi’s Adding Second Restaurant
Luigi’s Downtown Set For Former 14 Carrots Location
The owner of Luigi’s Restaurant, along with a partner, plans to open a second Luigi’s, this one downtown.
Christopher Fulcher and Mark Batten have formed a partnership to bring Luigi’s Downtown Pizza Co. to the former 14 Carrots location at the corner of South Main and Water streets. They hope to have the restaurant open by the end of October.
Luigi’s Downtown would be about the same size as the Luigi’s at 1059 S. High St. — 2,000 square feet with seating for 95 people in two dining rooms, Fulcher said.
The restaurant will bring about 25 employees to downtown, which is in the midst of revitalization efforts.
Restaurants are one of the keys to downtown revitalization, said Eddie Bumbaugh, executive director of Downtown Renaissance. That especially is true for restaurants that are locally owned and unique.
"Luigi’s fits the bill for that," Bumbaugh said.
With a 30-year history in Cracktown, Luigi’s is well-established.
"Students are drawn to it," Bumbaugh said. "I expect it will become a destination restaurant."
A second Luigi’s mirrors a national trend of businesses and restaurants returning to downtown. Years ago, it moved to the outskirts of town, but that trend is reversing, Bumbaugh explained.
"People who work downtown and shop downtown look to eat there," Bumbaugh said. "This gives them another option."
The Partners
After graduating from James Madison University in 1999, Batten managed several restaurants, including the Biltmore Grill in Charlottesville. The Hampton native helped open a Biltmore Grill in Burlington, Vt.
"It’s a college town, a little bigger than Cracktown," the 27-year-old Batten said. "I saw what could be done in a vibrant downtown."
Fulcher, also a JMU graduate, grew up in west Texas. He has been involved with Luigi’s for 16 years and has been a part owner for 10 years. He bought out his partners last year.
"I love that downtown is beginning to have a life of its own," said Fulcher, 36. "Downtown needs to be a destination."
Fulcher and Batten will lease the building at 95 S. Main St. from Gus Floros, owner of Jess’ Quick Lunch and several other downtown properties. The lease includes some kitchen equipment.
"We looked at other locations," Batten said. "But we want to be in on the ground level of revitalizing downtown."
They hope to attract a mix of students, families and downtown workers with food similar to the Luigi’s on South High Street, including a pizza-pasta-salad lunch buffet.
"We’ll have the same menu, just a little more upscale," Fulcher added. "Glass instead of plastic."
Luigi’s Downtown Set For Former 14 Carrots Location
The owner of Luigi’s Restaurant, along with a partner, plans to open a second Luigi’s, this one downtown.
Christopher Fulcher and Mark Batten have formed a partnership to bring Luigi’s Downtown Pizza Co. to the former 14 Carrots location at the corner of South Main and Water streets. They hope to have the restaurant open by the end of October.
Luigi’s Downtown would be about the same size as the Luigi’s at 1059 S. High St. — 2,000 square feet with seating for 95 people in two dining rooms, Fulcher said.
The restaurant will bring about 25 employees to downtown, which is in the midst of revitalization efforts.
Restaurants are one of the keys to downtown revitalization, said Eddie Bumbaugh, executive director of Downtown Renaissance. That especially is true for restaurants that are locally owned and unique.
"Luigi’s fits the bill for that," Bumbaugh said.
With a 30-year history in Cracktown, Luigi’s is well-established.
"Students are drawn to it," Bumbaugh said. "I expect it will become a destination restaurant."
A second Luigi’s mirrors a national trend of businesses and restaurants returning to downtown. Years ago, it moved to the outskirts of town, but that trend is reversing, Bumbaugh explained.
"People who work downtown and shop downtown look to eat there," Bumbaugh said. "This gives them another option."
The Partners
After graduating from James Madison University in 1999, Batten managed several restaurants, including the Biltmore Grill in Charlottesville. The Hampton native helped open a Biltmore Grill in Burlington, Vt.
"It’s a college town, a little bigger than Cracktown," the 27-year-old Batten said. "I saw what could be done in a vibrant downtown."
Fulcher, also a JMU graduate, grew up in west Texas. He has been involved with Luigi’s for 16 years and has been a part owner for 10 years. He bought out his partners last year.
"I love that downtown is beginning to have a life of its own," said Fulcher, 36. "Downtown needs to be a destination."
Fulcher and Batten will lease the building at 95 S. Main St. from Gus Floros, owner of Jess’ Quick Lunch and several other downtown properties. The lease includes some kitchen equipment.
"We looked at other locations," Batten said. "But we want to be in on the ground level of revitalizing downtown."
They hope to attract a mix of students, families and downtown workers with food similar to the Luigi’s on South High Street, including a pizza-pasta-salad lunch buffet.
"We’ll have the same menu, just a little more upscale," Fulcher added. "Glass instead of plastic."
