The Review

Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: News

Caffé Gelato will expand into the area currently occupied by Bert's Compact Discs.

Caffe Gelato is scheduled to expand this coming fall after a renovation of the property that is currently Bert's Compact Discs.

Bert Ottaviano, president of Bert's Music, said the move will take place in mid to late spring of this year.

Two weeks ago, a sign outside Bert's proclaimed, "Yes, we're moving." On Friday, it advertised a store-wide sale.

Ryan German, owner of Caffe Gelato, said the restaurant will remain open during construction of the renovation, which is estimated to be completed by the first weekend of the Fall Semester.

"We've been open for seven years and it's time to renovate," German said.

Business has been stellar within the restaraunt, but German said he recognizes the need for improvement.

He said he hopes to make the restaurant more accommodating by spreading out the furniture and adding more seats and tables for the customers. A few seats will be removed from the existing space and 16 seats will be added to the new addition, German said. The expansion will feature a waiting area inside, preventing guests from having to wait outside for a table.

To show its commitment to wine, the restaurant plans to add a temperature-controlled wine cellar, he said. It will be the second restaurant in the state to have this specific feature.

After the renovations' completion, German said Caffe Gelato will offer intimate booth seating and a private meeting room for professors or business people.

German said he plans to lease the new space.

A floor plan for the renovation is available on the restaurant's Web site.

Newark resident Patricia Hall said she looks forward to having more space at the tables and hopes the acoustics will improve with the new construction.

Junior Steve Fox, a regular customer of Bert's, said he is disappointed to see the store move from Main Street. Fox is from New York and said he got into the local music scene because of the store.

"It's the only place to get decent underground music in Newark," Fox said.

Caffe Gelato is one of the few eateries on Main Street that does not target specifically university students, German said. Guests include residents of Newark and business professionals, as well as university students.

Students primarily come to the restaurant to buy ice cream, but sit down for meals on special occasions, such as birthdays or date parties, he said.

Laura Schell, a first time Caffe Gelato diner, came with her family from Bear, Del.

After hearing of the new addition coming in the fall, Schell said, "We will definitely be back."

Caffe Gelato is distinct from the quick service establishments found up and down Main Street, German said.

The gelato counter, where the homemade ice cream is served, currently bridges the gap between formal and casual aspects of the restaurant, he said.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools