TERRE HAUTE —
The streets of Terre Haute were chilly Thursday night, but for the glow of hot pasta inside Louise’s Pizzeria and Cafe.
Business leaders celebrated the downtown restaurant’s recent expansion with a ribbon cutting and traveling party, moving from the location at 727 Wabash Ave. across the street to The Copper Bar.
In addition to expanded hours and menu offerings, the restaurant inside the Terre Haute Children’s Museum renovated its interior, adding the work of local artist Becky Hochhalter, as well as Italian monuments and murals.
Owner Rob Lundstrom said the restaurant’s growth is intertwined with that of the booming downtown activity.
“It’s something we feel good about and want to share with the whole downtown,” he said, explaining the need for more restaurant offerings in the area.
With nighttime events at the Hulman Center, as well as a growing number of festivals, Lundstrom said more offerings and activity help all businesses involved.
Louise’s Pizzeria and Cafe features a street entrance separate from the museum, and is open days and hours that facility is not. Between Monday and Thursday, the restaurant is now open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., remaining open to midnight Friday and Saturday. Sunday offerings begin at noon and end at 9 p.m.
Inside the museum Thursday evening, the Louise’s team had specialty pizzas and food samplings displayed throughout the first floor. And as Lundstrom pointed out, that restaurant is not only a partner with the museum, but a component of a much larger network full of history.
Lundstrom’s organization also owns Louise’s Fine Italian Dining at the Terre Haute International Airport, The Copper Bar and Louise’s Copper Catering. The business’ namesake, Louise Ambrosini, launched her first restaurant at the corner of South Third Street and McKeen Avenue in June of 1939. Her mother, Lena Lorenzo, brought her family’s recipes with her to America while immigrating from Italy.
With the help of her sister, Ida Gottardi, Ambrosini operated the restaurant at that location until 1947, when she sold it to Gottardi and her husband, Jack Campbell. The business stayed in the family, passing to that couple’s son and daughter-in-law, Armand and Betty Campbell, in 1970.
The family sold its interest to local businessman Jerry Smith during the 1990s before he ended up selling to the late Rick Lundstrom, Rob’s brother, in 2001. The Lundstroms closed that location in 2004, but Rob re-established it with the opening of the Terre Haute Children’s Museum in 2010.
Meanwhile, the recipes haven’t changed much since the old days, and Lundstrom said the downtown restaurant is considering the possibility of offering delivery given its proximity to the Hilton Garden Inn and Candlewood Suites. The development of those hotels has been instrumental in bringing downtown Terre Haute back to life, he remarked.
Tasha Fagg, director of marketing for the group, said the expansion has been exciting and plays well with its nearby partner The Copper Bar.
“It’s good for both Louise’s and The Copper Bar,” she said, adding the group offers a wide array of catering options. Louise’s Copper Catering recently served an 1,100-person Nike Invitational, and maintains the concessions at The Terre Haute Rex stadium. But the group also services smaller affairs such as backyard family gatherings. “We can do anything from formal to fun,” Fagg said.
Dr. Bob Quatroche, interim president of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, said the “proud tradition” of Louise’s continues onward as part of the downtown’s revitalization
“We’re really pleased with this because again, it represents a growing trend in the downtown,” he said as the ribbon was cut.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis On site: Bill Felker pulls a pizza from the oven at Louise's Pizzeria and Cafe. The eatery held a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday to showcase their expansion in downtown Terre Haute.
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Cutting up: Rob Lundstrom of Louise's Pizzeria and Cafe cuts the ribbon with Bob Quatroche, interim president of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, standing by.
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis New look: A new awning has been added to the front of Louise's Pizzeria and cafe in downtown Terre Haute.
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Overflowing: A painting of the Fountain of Trevi in Rome is one of four works by Becky Hochalter that adorn the walls of Louise's Pizzeria and Cafe in downtown Terre Haute.
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Rob Lundstrom
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Downtown restaurant celebrates expansion
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