On New 12 months’s Eve, kitchen employees at Dalla Tavola Zenari had been prepping for the restaurant’s ultimate service, as Elisa Zenari mirrored on her household’s bittersweet finish to just about 40 years within the hospitality trade.
Zenari grew up within the downtown Edmonton restaurant, serving to her dad and mom.
Elisa Zenari having fun with a plate of pasta.
Elisa Zenari
She was solely three years previous when her mother, Glenda, opened the unique idea: a kitchenware retailer referred to as Zenari’s in Manulife Place.
A deli, espresso counter and specialty meals had been additionally connected to the ground plan.
Manulife Place location of Zenari’s.
Elisa Zenari
Glenda and Adriano Zenari sitting on the counter of their Deli.
Elisa Zenari
Later, her dad, Adriano, took over and the shop slowly reworked right into a wine bar.
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Just like the household picture lined partitions and artwork prints, Elisa stated the recollections are limitless.
“I’d sit within the workplace and roll pennies after which did dishwashing after which lastly moved as much as serving and managing,” laughed Elisa.
“My dad was a management freak so he I needed to do each little job earlier than he gave me any extra seniority.”
Adriano Zenari at theoriginal Zenari’s location.
Elisa Zenari
In December 2020, the lease was up for Zenari’s, and the household renamed the enterprise to Dalla Tavola Zenari (from the Zenari desk) and moved, primarily, throughout the road to the present location on the nook of 101A Avenue and Howard Road/Rice Howard Manner.
The eatery grew to become a full restaurant service on the base of the Enbridge Centre (rebuilt from the ashes of the Kelly Ramsey Constructing that burnt down in 2009.)
It continued to be a household operation: Zenari and her husband shared possession duties, her sister is the night supervisor and their two brothers additionally helped out.
Transferring in the course of the COVID pandemic and the following inflation disaster, Elisa stated it was robust to maintain up. She spoke to Global News two years ago about the challenges (see video beneath), which she now says by no means actually received higher.
“We didn’t get lots of the COVID wage subsidies or hire subsidies, in order that made it actually tough to function,” she defined.
“After which, you realize, the margins on this enterprise are so tight — we began to get better very well but it surely was simply enjoying catch-up.
“It was by no means fairly busy sufficient.”
Quick-forward to 2024: the enterprise was going bankrupt and a court docket date was set for the brand new 12 months. The household selected Dec. 23 to shut on the finish of 2024.
The household acknowledges its story is just not distinctive. In a put up asserting the closure, they famous numerous Edmonton companies have endured comparable struggles — some making it by, others not.
Dalla Tavola Zenari prepared for the ultimate night time of service.
Jaclyn Kucey
“It was enjoyable in a number of methods. I attempt to take a look at issues glass half full and we realized loads throughout COVID,” stated Zenari.
“We developed a number of sturdy relationships with our distributors and crew.
“It’s too dangerous we form of ran out of runway.”
Dalla is closing its doorways on Dec. 31 however Elisa is open to promoting the enterprise to a brand new proprietor.
As for Elisa, she nonetheless has the itch to remain within the restaurant trade and assures Edmontonians, “You haven’t seen the final of the Zenari household.”
— With information from Lisa MacGregor and Karen Bartko, International Information
© 2024 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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