Nonna's: Difference between revisions
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'''Nonna's''' (originally '''Nonna Rose''', later '''Nonna's Ristorante Italiano''') was an Italian restaurant located at 700 [[Montgomery Highway]] in the [[Vestavia Hills City Center]]. | '''Nonna's''' (originally '''Nonna Rose''', later '''Nonna's Ristorante Italiano''') was an Italian restaurant located at 700 [[Montgomery Highway (Vestavia Hills)|Montgomery Highway]] in the [[Vestavia Hills City Center]]. | ||
The original Nonna Rose opened along with the shopping center in [[2005]]. It was owned and operated by [[Arman DeLorenz]], who also opened [[Brazil]] in a nearby space. Because AIG Baker wanted a local restaurant as a draw, they agreed not to collect rent until the business was profitable. DeLorenz shuttered both restaurants without warning in [[2006]]. | The original Nonna Rose opened along with the shopping center in [[2005]]. It was owned and operated by [[Arman DeLorenz]], who also opened [[Brazil]] in a nearby space. Because AIG Baker wanted a local restaurant as a draw, they agreed not to collect rent until the business was profitable. DeLorenz shuttered both restaurants without warning in [[2006]]. | ||
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Nonna's closed again with little warning on [[June 27]], [[2008]], leaving at least one scheduled wedding reception out on a limb. The shopping center's owner, AIG Baker, claims that the restaurant owes more than $540,000 in unpaid rent and has filed suit against its former owners. A countersuit claims that AIG Baker was slow with roof and elevator repairs and did not market the shopping center aggressively enough to support the businesses there. | Nonna's closed again with little warning on [[June 27]], [[2008]], leaving at least one scheduled wedding reception out on a limb. The shopping center's owner, AIG Baker, claims that the restaurant owes more than $540,000 in unpaid rent and has filed suit against its former owners. A countersuit claims that AIG Baker was slow with roof and elevator repairs and did not market the shopping center aggressively enough to support the businesses there. | ||
The space remained vacant until [[2011]], when a second location of [[La Paz]] Mexican restaurant was opened there. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Walsh, Jan (February 2006) "Nothing Could Be Finer." ''Birmingham'' magazine | * Walsh, Jan (February 2006) "Nothing Could Be Finer." ''Birmingham'' magazine | ||
* Tomberlin, Michael (July 31, 2008) "Baker files suit against former Vestavia tenant." | * Tomberlin, Michael (July 31, 2008) "Baker files suit against former Vestavia tenant." {{BN}} | ||
[[Category:Former | [[Category:Former Italian restaurants]] | ||
[[Category:Vestavia Hills City Center]] | [[Category:Vestavia Hills City Center]] | ||
[[Category:2005 establishments]] | |||
[[Category:2008 disestablishments]] | |||
Latest revision as of 14:01, 27 June 2014
Nonna's (originally Nonna Rose, later Nonna's Ristorante Italiano) was an Italian restaurant located at 700 Montgomery Highway in the Vestavia Hills City Center.
The original Nonna Rose opened along with the shopping center in 2005. It was owned and operated by Arman DeLorenz, who also opened Brazil in a nearby space. Because AIG Baker wanted a local restaurant as a draw, they agreed not to collect rent until the business was profitable. DeLorenz shuttered both restaurants without warning in 2006.
After Nonna Rose closed, patron John Kingsley partnered with three former employees to re-open the business. Chef Robbie Burton, Jr, manager Jamey Frazier, and bar manager Dong Kang teamed up with him to create a more casual and inviting environment while preserving the fineness of the cuisine. The drink menu was expanded with specialty cocktails and a broader selection of wines. Flat-screen televisions were added to the bar area and jazz ensembles were invited to perform on Thursday evenings. The former Brazil restaurant was renamed Nonna's II and used for private events.
Nonna's closed again with little warning on June 27, 2008, leaving at least one scheduled wedding reception out on a limb. The shopping center's owner, AIG Baker, claims that the restaurant owes more than $540,000 in unpaid rent and has filed suit against its former owners. A countersuit claims that AIG Baker was slow with roof and elevator repairs and did not market the shopping center aggressively enough to support the businesses there.
The space remained vacant until 2011, when a second location of La Paz Mexican restaurant was opened there.
References
- Walsh, Jan (February 2006) "Nothing Could Be Finer." Birmingham magazine
- Tomberlin, Michael (July 31, 2008) "Baker files suit against former Vestavia tenant." The Birmingham News