STRUTHERS Aid sought to open restaurant

STRUTHERS -- The former Blaze Bar & amp; Grille might be replaced by an Italian restaurant if Vito DePinto can secure financing within the next few months.
DePinto, 45, said he'd like to draw in guests from as far as Warren and New Castle, Pa., with old Italian dishes and what he calls a unique family atmosphere.
He's leaning toward calling the restaurant Vito's.
But DePinto told city council Wednesday that he needs time and some financial help to get the business running.
He has applied for a Small Business Administration loan and is looking at a number of grants. After that, he said, the Bridge Street building needs to be gutted, cleaned and painted.
"This is a dream of mine since I was 15 years old," he said.
Mayor Dan Mamula said the restaurant would fill a niche downtown, where a number of inquiries have been made lately to open restaurants.
The Blaze closed in January after months of public nuisance complaints, legal hassles and pressure by city council.