ST. LOUIS 鈥 The Lindenwood Park Italian restaurant LoRusso鈥檚 Cucina will close on Sept. 29, ending a 38-year run.
Owner Terri LoRusso confirmed the news, which was first by St. 亚洲无码 Magazine.
鈥淚 love the restaurant,鈥 LoRusso said. 鈥淚 always have. It鈥檚 been a labor of love, truly.鈥
LoRusso said multiple factors contributed to the decision to close. The restaurant reached the end of its most recent five-year lease in June and had been operating month-to-month since.
Also, having already endured the financial strain of the pandemic, the restaurant has been dealing with increased operating costs.
With these factors coming together, LoRusso said, 鈥渋t makes more sense to go ahead and finish up than to struggle on.鈥
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Rich LoRusso, LoRusso鈥檚 husband and the restaurant鈥檚 chef and co-owner, died in 2022 of ALS.
LoRusso thinks her husband would want himself and LoRusso鈥檚 to be remembered for his devotion to his staff and to the quality of his food. The restaurant鈥檚 charity work was also important to him.
Fundraisers at LoRusso鈥檚 have included the annual Pasta Bowl. Attendees would vote for one of three home recipes. The winner went on the menu for the year, with a donation to Operation Food Search each time it was ordered.
鈥淭hat, to me, is his biggest legacy,鈥 LoRusso said. 鈥淭here was just that devotion to the community.鈥
Since news of the impending closure broke Tuesday, LoRusso said she has received an 鈥渁valanche鈥 of phone calls and text messages from the restaurant鈥檚 longtime customers.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e all very supportive,鈥 she said.
LoRusso鈥檚 Cucina is located at 3121 Watson Road.
After obsessing over making the 'perfect bagel' at home, Scott Lefton felt inspired to sell his New York-style bagels to the St. 亚洲无码 community. With his brother-in-law Doug Goldenburg, they are making the 'bagel dream' happen. Video by Allie Schallert, aschallert@post-dispatch.com
