New owner to take over Abruzzi's Cafe

The new owner plans to upgrade the restaurant but keep the menu.
WARREN -- Bob Abruzzi is retiring Jan. 1 and has sold Abruzzi's Cafe 422 to Serdar Dede, who had been general manager at the Chophouse restaurant at the Avalon Inn and Resort in Howland.
Abruzzi, 65, said he is ready to leave the business after working at the restaurant since 1964. He said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family.
Dede couldn't be reached to comment Thursday, but Abruzzi said the new owner plans to invest in the restaurant. The first upgrade will be new carpeting.
Abruzzi said Dede intends to keep the same menu, but he thinks the new owner will make some changes later.
Abruzzi's father, Guerino, started the restaurant in 1939 with partner Orazio Rossi, who died in 1963. The elder Abruzzi died in 1994.
Ups and downs
Bob Abruzzi said he recalls both the good times and challenging times of the business. Decades ago when the steel mills were going strong, the restaurant business thrived along U.S. Route 422.
Abruzzi also remembers the slowdown in the local restaurant industry. First, the economy in the Mahoning Valley declined and then chain restaurants increased their presence.
"We have maintained the quality of our food and service. That's what has kept us in business," Abruzzi said.
He said gift certificates that have been bought will be good until the end of 2006.