Roma’s Eatery opens, still looking for staff
Rose Pirkl, who celebrated New Year’s Eves and more at Jerry’s Supper Club, was among the first customers at Roma’s Italian Eatery Thursday. Jerry’s served the community for around 50 years before closing in 2012. Staff photo by Joni Hubred
Downtown Owatonna’s newest restaurant opened to the public last week, with a line of hungry patrons waiting for the 4 p.m. Thursday launch.
Among the first to enjoy the cuisine at Roma’s Italian Eatery were Rose Pirkl of Owatonna and her daughter, Jeanne Kosieradzki, who grew up in Owatonna but now lives in Minneapolis. Both remember the building at the corner of North Cedar and Vine when it was Jerry’s Supper Club.
Though she doesn’t remember much more than the infamous Jerry’s mural–now on display at the Steele County Historical Society– Kosieradzki couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get in on Roma’s opening.
“I thought it would be fun for my mom,” she said. “I don’t recognize it though.”
“We loved it here,” Pirkl said as she perused the new restaurant’s menu. “They did a great New Year’s Eve. It was a big party…fun, good food.”
Jerry’s was a downtown icon until it closed for good in 2012, after about 50 years of serving as a hub for special events, family gatherings, and more. Craig Korvela, president of Freetime Restaurants, the management group opening Roma’s, announced the project in August of 2022.
Ken Pankow, a member of the management team, was all smiles Thursday evening, as Roma’s first customers walked through the door. He said the last several weeks have brought “typical delays” that included getting equipment delivered and hiring.
Workers got some hands-on training last week, with a private event for Federated Insurance and a “soft opening” with the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.
“The staffing took a lot longer than we thought,” Pankow said. “We are still looking to hire servers and kitchen staff.”
Until they’ve got enough employees, Roma’s will only be open 4-9 p.m. with a dinner menu. When the restaurant opens for lunches, it will offer a “pick 2” special that includes pasta, sandwiches, soup, and salad.
“We’re just excited to be open and be part of the Owatonna community,” Pankow said. “We know the town is excited.”
That was certainly true for Rose Pirkl.
“This is very different,” she said. “I think it will be a good deal (for downtown Owatonna).”