Roma’s switches management company

With a popular Italian restaurant in downtown Owatonna being closed a few weeks ago, a new company has stepped up to take on management to reopen it by the end of July.

Wischermann Partners of Excelsior will be the new management company operating Roma’s Italian Eatery. Wischermann also operates Courtyard by Marriott located just down the street from Roma’s.

“We’re really excited about management of Roma’s and moving into the next generation of Roma’s,” said Jennifer Blacker, vice president of sales and marketing for Wischermann. “We see a real opportunity to elevate the experience at Roma’s.”

Blacker said Wischermann is eager to build on what Roma’s has accomplished since opening in 2023 in the historic Jerry’s Supper Club at 203 N. Cedar Ave. Roma’s will remain focused on modern Italian food. “It will be simple food done really well,” she said. “We want to increase the hospitality and quality of food.”

The closure of the restaurant for about six weeks is needed to make interior changes to meet Wischermann’s standards. “We are in the process of doing much needed cleaning and kitchen repairs. There will be some cosmetic changes, mostly soft, but they will be noticeable,” said Blacker. However, she added, they will not be tearing down walls.

Blacker said they are also in the process of heavily hiring. She noted they are looking to expand on the staff that previously had been working at Roma’s. A new general manager will be hired to “get the team stabilized and trained,” she said.

Taking on Roma’s seemed to be “a natural fit” for Wischermann because they already operate the Marriott, Blacker said. “We can provide a holistic experience not only to the Owatonna community, but travelers coming through the region.”

Blacker stressed that Roma’s will not be elevated to fine dining. “It will be a fabulous restaurant where the cost will be extremely affordable,” she said, noting there will be pricing available for everyone. “We’re going to offer fantastic service with great food and similar pricing to what Roma’s already had,” she added.

Wischermann, which has been in the hospitality business for 25 years, operates premium upscale restaurants in the Twin Cities, Chicago, Nashville and Charlotte, N.C.

“It’s all about the client experience,” Blacker said of Wischermann’s philosophy. “We pride ourselves on providing world class client experience,” she added.

As for Roma’s, Blacker said: “It will not be an exclusive experience.” But she quickly added, “it will be the best restaurant in Owatonna.”

With the change to Wischermann, Roma’s will switch to single ownership, though the owner has not been publicly identified. Roma’s was formerly owned by Craig Korvela and Brett Reese of Rebound Partners, which operates restaurants in Northfield and Faribault.