News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Local & Bistate

Discussion

Welcome to our online comments feature. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable as well as posts that are attacking other users. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.
comments powered by Disqus
July 2, 2008

Louise’s to open at airport in August

By Crystal Garcia

TERRE HAUTE — A Terre Haute tradition is coming back after a four-year hiatus.

Louise’s Italian restaurant is expected to open sometime in August at the Terre Haute International Airport-Hulman Field. Members of the Airport Authority unanimously approved a one-year lease with Rick and Rob Lundstrom, co-owners of Louise’s and The Copper Bar, at the June 25 board meeting. Tuesday was the first day of the lease.

“It’s all about the food when you talk about Louise’s, along with having to give good service and the right atmosphere, etc.,” said Rick Lundstrom. “The airport’s a great setting for it. It’s east, which is one thing we wanted when we closed on South Third was to go east, so we’re doing that, and that’s a good step …”

Named after Louis Lorenzo Ambrosini, who died in 1991, Louise’s opened in 1939 at 1849 S. Third St. It changed hands a few times before the Lundstroms purchased it from Jerry Smith in 2001.

Though the restaurant on Third Street closed in 2004, Louise’s food still has been available as part of the Copper Bar’s catering service.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to keep the name alive,” Rob Lundstrom said. “We feel there is a strong following for Louise’s, even though it’s not been operating as a restaurant, and we’re excited about the opportunity to bring that back to people so they can access it on a regular basis.”

To start, Louise’s will be open Thursday through Saturday during evening hours. As business picks up, the Lundstroms plan to expand the hours. It will be free for private parties and meetings, though, Sunday through Wednesday, Rick Lundstrom said.

While a name change may be in the works for the current airport restaurant, The Hangar, that is the only thing expected to change, the Lundstroms said. The Hangar has been at the airport for five years under Wanda Harrah.

It has operated seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. for breakfast and lunch, something the Lundstroms plan to continue, along with keeping on Harrah and her staff. When the daytime eatery closes, a new staff will come in to transform the restaurant for dinner at Louise’s by dimming the lights and putting down tablecloths.

The red walls and copper-coated ceiling the Lundstroms plan to have will also add to that ambiance. They also are planning to add an L-shaped bar with stools, outdoor seating and a curbside carryout service, Rick Lundstrom said. The full-service bar will be a separate area for anyone 21 and older.

As construction and restaurant improvements take place, the breakfast/lunch operation will remain open, Rick Lundstrom said.

“I hope everybody understands it’s going to actually be two restaurants in the same space,” he said. “… I’m really thrilled [Harrah] is staying with us to run the daytime part. It’s a plus for us, the customers already know her, she knows the restaurant, she knows the kitchen.”

Both Lundstroms emphasized that despite all the physical changes, Louise’s food will remain the same.

“… The one thing we’re not going to do is change the food. The food will be Louise’s food, same as it was in 1939,” Rick Lundstrom said. “And I believe, and I hope I’m right, it’s a destination restaurant ... It’s up to us to maintain the quality, which has always been there, and as long as I have the capability of doing it, it won’t change.”

Some new dishes are expected to be added, too, including veggie pastas and other lighter dishes. Rick Lundstrom also expects to have a light catering menu available.

“… I think you always have to be fresh in your approach,” Rob Lundstrom said. “I guess what we’re hoping to do is provide a fresh approach to what’s been an old-time Terre Haute tradition.”

Crystal Garcia can be reached at (812) 231-4271 or crystal.garcia@tribstar.com.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local & Bistate
Multimedia

Like us on Facebook!
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
Join the Conversation
Helium
Front page
AP Video
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48 Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48 Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate Snow Strands Italian Towns Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Latest Jason Wu Collection Shows Chinese Roots US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany Raw Video: Rough Seas Stop Oil Removal ShowBiz Minute: Madonna, Beresford-Redman, Pawsc The Pits: Israelis Spit Olives for Glory Video of M.I.A's Obscene Halftime Gesture
NDN Video
2012 Grammys: LL Cool J Exclusive Video - Whitney's Bodybag FUEL TV: Punk Payback Gym tips Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche Whitney's Final Days - EXCLUSIVE Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter Lusetich: AT&T Rd. 3 recap Peek inside Barbie's closet Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll Madonna's Daughter Shaves Head Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop Absolute Lin-sanity 5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La. Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood Hero Driver Saves Kids From Burning Bus Funeral to be held for Powell boys Sandusky on having to stay inside and people turning on him Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama Woolly Mammoth Caught on Camera?
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News