Italian cuisine to fill restaurant void in Owatonna
Craig Korvela will open Roma’s Italian Eatery in the old Jerry’s Supper Club in downtown Owatonna early next year. Staff photo by Rick Bussler
Craig Korvela is no stranger to the restaurant industry. And now he’s bringing his decades of experience to downtown Owatonna.
Korvela announced Aug. 23 at a Chamber function that he will open Roma’s Italian Eatery in the old Jerry’s Supper Club beginning early next year. The announcement brought a loud applause of about 100 people in attendance.
Renovations to Jerry’s will begin almost immediately, Korvela said. “We’ll be tearing down ceilings and having some fun,” he said, adding he expects full demolition to begin in October.
If Korvela sounds confident about undertaking such a project, he has good reason. He used to do home flipping and enjoys renovation projects. “This is my release from the day-to-day work,” he said, adding he has already flipped about eight restaurants.
Korvela said he settled on Italian cuisine after meeting with the building’s owner, Hamilton Real Estate Group, Federated Insurance and others about what Owatonna needed. “When we sat down, a lot of people were pushing toward Italian. Owatonna is screaming for another food choice,” he said, adding there is no Italian within a 30-mile radius of Owatonna.
While Jerry’s Supper Club was known for fine dining for about a half century before closing in 2012, Roma’s will not follow the same path nor will it resemble the iconic eatery in any way.
“We will be elevated casual dining,” Korvela said. “We’re not trying to be an Olive Garden, but I want you to notice the difference when you bite into our products.”
As for the looks, Korvella said, “People won’t recognize the interior or the exterior.” Roma’s, he added, will be more open and inviting.
For now, Korvella is concentrating on one floor, but he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of having a second floor in the future.
Korvela compares his new restaurant to Cossetta’s, a popular Italian market and pizzeria located in downtown St. Paul. Cossetta’s has been operating since 1911 by offering something a customer might experience in Italy without actually traveling there.
Roma’s will not only offer pastas, but also beef, pork and chicken entrees as well as soups and sandwiches for lunch. The restaurant will feature wood-fired cooking. There will be a retail section where people will be able to purchase pastas made from scratch to take out.
“It will be an unique restaurant,” Korvela said of Roma’s.
He arrived on the name of the restaurant after working for Roma’s while attending Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D. many years ago.
“Naming a business is never easy,” Korvela acknowledged. “It’s easier to name a pet or a child. I wanted to pay homage to the past and carry a name of what I had to do with.”
Korvela has 25 years of restaurant experience as an owner, consultant and manager. He currently owns Redemption Restaurant in Faribault and Fielder’s Choice in Northfield. He said at least 40% of his customers at Redemption are from Owatonna, and they encouraged him to open up in Owatonna.
In addition to the Owatonna location, Korvela is looking at some other restaurant ventures throughout the region in the coming year.
Korvela’s goal is to be open by March.