Recession claims NW's Contessa Cafe
Add Contessa Cafe, the 6-year-old Italian buffet on the northwest side, to the growing list of recession casualties.
The restaurant at 4145 W. Ina Road closed March 17, said Diane Gallardo, who owned it for the past three years with her husband, Ken.
"The demographics of that neighborhood, they just couldn't afford it," Gallardo said Wednesday, noting that the opening last October of Golden Corral Buffet and Grill on Thornydale Road hurt her business.
The Gallardos also own La Olla Mexican Cafe in Continental Ranch.
Cafe Jasper gets new owner, same menu
Don't panic because Cafe Jasper isn't open - it will be again, in just a matter of days.
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The popular Foothills eatery - 6370 N. Campbell Ave., at East Skyline Drive - switched hands recently. Owner Lisa Ferrendelli sold it to Stacy LaRue and partner Yoram Levy earlier this month. The restaurant shut down Wednesday, but will reopen at 6:30 a.m. June 1.
LaRue, a New Jersey transplant with an acting and event planning background, said she's always wanted a breakfast and lunch place.
"This is a new adventure for me," said LaRue, who moved to Tucson in January.
Customers can expect their favorite entrees to still grace the menu. But LaRue has big plans by summer's end. She hopes to be open seven days a week and add a happy hour. An expanded menu with vegetarian, vegan and kosher items along with a kids' menu that is planned for August.
Far northeast side gets an island retreat
Konaberi, a Hawaiian-themed self-serve frozen yogurt shop, is celebrating its official grand opening Saturday.
That means everything from a lei rolling (and plenty of lei making) to hula dancing and conch playing from 11 a.m until 9 p.m. There will also be live music, T-shirt and gift certificates giveaways. Fire dancers Elemental Artistry will perform after sunset.
The shop, which opened more than two weeks ago at 9155 E. Tanque Verde Road, is the creation of a group of Hawaii-loving family members and friends.
In addition to 10 flavors at any given time and a host of fresh toppings (at 39 cents an ounce), patrons also get an immersion in Hawaiian culture and language.
The idea is to create a sense of community, says Debbie Shapiro, who taught for about 10 years on the island of Oahu, before moving to Tucson to teach middle school and high school.
That means on Tuesdays, Tutu Tuesdays, grandmothers get a free 6-ounce froyo when they come in with their family.
Teachers and their families always get a discount. And customers who are in the store when the surfing videos are interrupted by a volcanic eruption get a free "lava" topping of Ghirardelli syrups.
The shop also offers Yoghund, a German brand of organic yogurt for dogs.
"We've been really busy," said Shapiro, who has noticed a huge demand for sugar-free.
The rest of the owners include Shapiro's husband, Ed, their daughter, Jacqi Nicholson (who is also a teacher), and neighbors Eileen and Steve Asetre (who were married on a beach in Hawaii).
The Shapiros, who honeymooned in Hawaii, previously owned a Gymboree Play and Music. Ed Shapiro, a University of Arizona grad, also owned a Baskin-Robbins at 8670 E. Broadway for 20 years.
Wanted: deals for dad's big day
Attention restaurants: We're looking for your Father's Day dining deals. Go online to dailystarcalendar.com and enter your special under holiday dining. The deadline for our roundup is June 7.
Cathalena E. Burch, Kristen Cook, Inger Sandal
