Danville Italian restaurants react to Olive Garden news

Owners of local Italian restaurants say they will do their best to survive if Olive Garden comes to Danville next year as planned.

Pino Buzzetta, owner of Carini’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria, understands Danville customers would want to try a new Olive Garden for the first couple months, but he worries what that “big fish” would do the “little fish” — local Italian restaurants.

“I don’t think I would like an Olive Garden in Danville,” Buzzetta said. “It would definitely hurt.”

He worries that the Danville economy isn’t strong enough for Olive Garden to make money without sending the smaller Italian restaurants out of business.

“The economy is bad for everybody right now,” Buzzetta said. “I think it would be better for the local people to support the local people.”

Carini’s employs local people and buys local produce, he added.

Everyone already knows the Olive Garden advertisements, he added. People don’t think about Carini’s offering all-you-can-eat garlic bread, Buzzetta said, noting he plans to advertise that.

After seven years in business, Buzzetta said he will have to come up with a plan B, which means more specials and changing up the menu to offer what Olive Garden doesn’t have.

Carini’s emphasizes preparing and making all dishes as they’re ordered, he added.

“We’ll see what’s coming up,” Buzzetta said.

Mimma Brooks, who owns Joe & Mimma’s Italian Restaurant with husband, Randy, said she was shocked when she read in the newspaper that Olive Garden planned to come to Danville by late April.

“Of course, I would say no it’s not needed,” Brooks said.

Yet, Joe & Mimma’s has an established reputation in Danville after 33 years of operation and brings people in from out of town. Some customers already told her they wouldn’t eat at Olive Garden, she added.

Brooks hopes residents would support local restaurants before a chain, as because Joe & Mimma’s supports the local economy and is the real deal, she said.

To Brooks, who is from southern Italy, authentic Italian food is simple with few, but fresh ingredients where freshness and quality is emphasized over everything.

Brooks buys produce from the farmer’s market at the downtown Community Market during the summer and searches out specialty ingredients to offer variety and rare dishes in Danville. For instance, last week the restaurant offered pumpkin ravioli.

Fresh seafood and the variety and quality of dishes at the restaurant throughout the year would keep customers coming back, Brooks said.

“I’m hoping my customers will continue to support our business,” Brooks said.

Ash Mohamad, owner of Sal’s Italian Grill and Pizzeria, said he was surprised that Olive Garden would open in Danville, given the state of the economy.

Customers also seemed to be excited about it, he added.

“I’m scared,” Mohamad said, adding he would be competing with a big name and a corporation.

Most of his employees live in Danville and Sal’s uses local suppliers.

“These people need jobs,” he said about his employees.

Sal’s adapted to changes like the smoking ban by adding a smoking patio and moving the bar to add more table space and give the feel of a family restaurant.

“I’ve done by best to keep the doors open and hopefully I will be able to continue,” Mohamad said. “I’m going to try to do my best … but there is no way you can compete with a big company like that.”