When the new Ariella Italian restaurant held a preview sampler Friday night before its public opening Saturday morning, the invited guests were an interesting mixture. Civic and government leaders were evident, but they were out-numbered by retailers and those involved in construction and service businesses.
The Hirsch family members (Deborah, Richard and R.B.) who own and operate the restaurant have made a point of buying equipment and materials from local businesses and using local contractors and laborers to transform the long-time home of newspapers and printers into an exquisite showplace. Many of those who have been involved in the remodeling were among Friday’s guests, as were retailers in surrounding buildings.
And while chef Tom Gilbert is from New York and pastry chef Llyasa Vaara is a native of Norway, most of the throng of people hired to work at Ariella are residents of the city and county. Looking through the window of the kitchen, visitors viewed a scene similar to a movie or television show with throngs of white-clad employees creating unique foods for nattily attired servers to work the patrons.
So between the jobs created or enhanced in the remodeling process or in the production and distribution of foods, Ariella has made a significant contribution to the local economy, which in turn adds to city and county government tax revenue.
Added to this is that the Hirsches have also purchased the Duncans Drug Store building and are converting it into an upscale restaurant. Extensive work has already gone into it, and much more is to come. Additionally the Hirsch family has purchased two huge, historic homes in Russellville-where the families of former mayors George Briggs and Taylor Fuqua lived.
The Hirsches have an appreciation for local history. Marion and Betty Barrett, who owned and operated Barrett Printing Company for 28 years in the old News-Democrat building where Ariella is now located, were among those attending Friday. The linotype press on which the News-Democrat was printed for many decades, is now encased and enshrined in the center of the restaurant. Meanwhile the larger restaurant still under construction has been named House of Duncan in honor of Buddy and Mattie Duncan and the late Morris and Cecil Duncan, who operated Duncans Drugs there much of the 20^th century.
Expansions of existing businesses have driven the local economy in 2010. Consider these:
*Logan County Animal Clinic has purchased the adjacent former location of a branch bank/loan company and is expanding its facilities. Doctors Jon Todd and David Woodall are the primary owners of this essential agri-business.
*Johnny Cates, who owns USA Rental and Sales along with a construction business, has built and opened a huge truck stop and convenience store on the Bypass across from the UK Ag Complex.
*Jase Pinerola has added Performance Plus to his Orthopedics Plus offerings in Cambridge Place, the professional plaza between the offices of doctors C.H. Mathis and Varsha and Brian Humble and Sol Aztecaz restaurant.
*Also in that area, Kevin Gettings, who is an owner of Gerald Printing down the road, is opening Southern Kentucky Sportsplex at 109 Robbin Way. It is a 12,000- square foot indoor training facility for baseball, softball and soccer. Speed and agility training will also be offered.
*H&H Sheet Metal has a major expansion underway adjacent to its Morgantown Road location. Ground has been cleared across from the Community Action building at Knob City, just behind Agape’s Carrico Center. Ricky and Phil Holloway are the primary H’s of H&H.
*Doctors Kamal and Abbi Singh have greatly expanded their Singh Medical Associates office in the building previously owned by Dr. Karen Northern.
*Logan Memorial Hospital has conducted a ribbon cutting at its new Specialty Clinic on the hospital campus. Specialties are dermatology, pain management, OB/GYM and podiatry.
*The Russellville Electric Plant Board has changed the appearance of East Fourth Street by razing the old BG&H bus station and building a fortress to house its expanded services in high fiber communications. Larry Wilcutt is the long-time superintendent of the EPB.
*Historic Russellville and Main Street Russellville have taken a big step in creating the Kentucky Artisans at the Saddle Factory. The upper scale arts and crafts outlet should bring visitors to the community and provide shopping opportunities for those coming to dine at Ariella or the House of Duncan. Soon the upstairs of the Saddle Factory will be ready as a museum for visitors with those manning the arts store keeping it open for tourists. Main Street Russellville has also made shopping in Russellville more attractive through a concerted building painting program that looks great. Noel Smith has been the guiding light of Kentucky Artisans at the Saddle Factory and Darlene Gooch directs Main Street Russellville under the guidance of a board headed by Lillian Riley.
*Also in the public sector, the Logan County Court of Justice which was opened in 20101 provided lots of jobs during the construction process and adds to the appearance of the community for those passing through.
*Although it’s not technically an expansion, realtor Nick Williams worked quickly to find new businesses to take over the vacated spaces of bankrupt Goody’s and of Fox’s Pizza Den in the strip mall south of Wal-Mart. Burke’s Outlet is a new big-time player in the local retail market, and Maria Bonita is another player in international eateries.
*Much like what’s happened in downtown Russellville, a community-wide sprucing up has been underway in downtown Adairville. The beautifully refurbished park in the center of the square and several new businesses will be on display this Saturday when the Chamber leads an open air market and Christmas extravzaganza. Brent Holman is the ramrod of this special day.