Two friends, neighbors, and residents of Connecticut have taken control of a well-known local restaurant that has been operating for over 40 years.
Longtime clients Ram Chagantipati and Rakesh Narra, both immigrants from India, officially took over ownership of the family-runLena’s Restaurant, situated at 655 John Fitch Boulevard in South Windsor, on July 1, although the transaction had been progressing for several months.
We are locals of the town, and we’ve experienced significant events in our lives here,” Narra stated. “We come here for my wife’s birthday and my children’s birthdays. That’s how we became familiar with this restaurant because we’ve been dining here for eight years.
Narra and Chagantipati have lived next door to each other in South Windsor since 2017. Both hail from India and previously worked in the restaurant sector there, but this marks their initial venture into opening a restaurant in the United States.
Narra mentioned that when the restaurant became up for sale, the friends promptly investigated it.
We heard it was up for sale and decided to give it a shot,” Narra said. “We wanted to take control of the business and run it the same way. We want it to be more than just a company. We aim to keep it running as a family, not just a business.
Chagantipati mentioned that the process of assuming control of the restaurant has been favorable. He noted that the new ownership has kept all the staff, approximately 20 employees, from the previous management.
We aren’t beginning from zero,” Chagantipati stated. “The team here is highly skilled. Currently, everything is proceeding smoothly, and we are maintaining Lena’s legacy. We have kept the same menu.
The customers who arrived earlier are still coming,” he added. “We have maintained everything as it is.
Narra stated that they have kept the same values and rules in place and have gained significant experience during their initial months leading Lena’s.
We have an excellent team,” Narra stated. “They have shared a lot of knowledge with us. Everything remains unchanged. During our initial meeting with the staff, we expressed our desire to develop as a team in order to hire additional members.
The restaurant’s founder, Lena Lonero, continues to work three days each week. She is affectionately called “Mama Lena” and is in her 80s. Both owners have stated that “Mama Lena” has been an important source of guidance. The Loneros moved to the United States from Italy in the early 1960s. Lena and her husband Joe purchased the restaurant in 1982. Their son Sal eventually took charge in 2000 and remained the owner until selling it this summer.
Lena Lonero, the daughter of the original owners of Lena’s, has been employed at the restaurant since 1996.
The new owners have continued the family tradition and ambiance,” Lena Lonero stated. “The new owners made an effort to commemorate my mom’s 85th birthday. She still prepares desserts from Thursday to Saturday, and her most beloved one is her tiramisu.
Lena Loreno mentioned that her mother continues to confuse customers and engages in discussions about baseball and football. She noted that customers were surprised when the restaurant reopened after the July 4th holiday with new owners.
“Sal had been here for 43 years, and that was a significant period,” Lena Loreno stated.
Both new owners mentioned that their passion for Italian cuisine began at Lena’s. Narra noted that initially, the staff and customers were somewhat unsure about how they would manage the restaurant and whether the existing team would remain.
We made it clear to the staff and customers that we won’t be making any changes,” Narra stated. “The only modifications you might notice could involve improvements to the flooring or the banquet hall, and these won’t affect the food. We’re seeking their input. … Our goal is to preserve what has been in place for the past 42 years.
Chagantipati, who is employed part-time in the insurance sector, and Narra both initiated the process of purchasing the restaurant in the spring, recognizing a potential for expansion at Lena’s.
It’s not just a company. It’s something more. It’s wonderful to witness the families who come in here and how they are linked with the staff and Lena,” Narra stated. “It’s more than a business. We aim to run it the same way, and that’s the best aspect of the initial few months of owning Lena’s.
Narra, who once worked in technology at CVS, mentioned that his family questioned, “Are you certain that you’re making the correct decision by taking over the restaurant?”
Why not? At times, you need to take risks,” Narra stated. “We’ve visited here several times, and we understand the possibilities. We enjoy this place. It’s not like any other restaurant. It feels more like a family. We know each other very well. We have become part of this family.
Chagantipati, 43, mentioned that his family enjoys Italian cuisine and his wife particularly likes the chicken parmesan, which is prepared using the original Joe Lonero recipe. The menu continues to feature the same specialty Italian offerings. Chicken parmesan remains the most popular choice among customers, along with Italian steak and Italian combo sandwiches.
We understand how it is with Italian cuisine; it’s centered around family,” Chagantipati stated. “We now appreciate Italian food because they consistently emphasize family, which drew us in.
Narra, 40, mentioned that the restaurant serves as a venue for birthdays, anniversaries, or a spot to visit following graduations and other special occasions, drawing in patrons of all age groups.
Everyone has a tale about Lena’s,” Narra stated. “Some of the patrons have been visiting this place for over 40 years and always take the same seat with the same server. That’s how they maintain their connection. We’ve heard numerous stories like these. It made us confident we made the correct choice. There is a strong personal connection here.
We intend to carry this forward,” he added. “We wish to continue in the manner of Mama’s.
The proprietors mentioned they are focusing on this particular restaurant but have not dismissed the possibility of establishing another branch in the future.
“We possess the blueprints, but we intend to observe how things unfold and potentially establish another Lena’s at a different location in Connecticut,” Narra stated.
Lena’s Restaurant, situated at 655 John Fitch Boulevard, operates from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The management maintains the practice of giving staff a day off on Sundays to be with their families.
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