Louise’s to open at airport in August

By Crystal Garcia
The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE July 02, 2008 10:31 pm

— A Terre Haute tradition is coming back after a four-year hiatus.
Louise’s Italian restaurant is expected to open sometime in August at the Terre Haute International Airport-Hulman Field. Members of the Airport Authority unanimously approved a one-year lease with Rick and Rob Lundstrom, co-owners of Louise’s and The Copper Bar, at the June 25 board meeting. Tuesday was the first day of the lease.
“It’s all about the food when you talk about Louise’s, along with having to give good service and the right atmosphere, etc.,” said Rick Lundstrom. “The airport’s a great setting for it. It’s east, which is one thing we wanted when we closed on South Third was to go east, so we’re doing that, and that’s a good step …”
Named after Louis Lorenzo Ambrosini, who died in 1991, Louise’s opened in 1939 at 1849 S. Third St. It changed hands a few times before the Lundstroms purchased it from Jerry Smith in 2001.
Though the restaurant on Third Street closed in 2004, Louise’s food still has been available as part of the Copper Bar’s catering service.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to keep the name alive,” Rob Lundstrom said. “We feel there is a strong following for Louise’s, even though it’s not been operating as a restaurant, and we’re excited about the opportunity to bring that back to people so they can access it on a regular basis.”
To start, Louise’s will be open Thursday through Saturday during evening hours. As business picks up, the Lundstroms plan to expand the hours. It will be free for private parties and meetings, though, Sunday through Wednesday, Rick Lundstrom said.
While a name change may be in the works for the current airport restaurant, The Hangar, that is the only thing expected to change, the Lundstroms said. The Hangar has been at the airport for five years under Wanda Harrah.
It has operated seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. for breakfast and lunch, something the Lundstroms plan to continue, along with keeping on Harrah and her staff. When the daytime eatery closes, a new staff will come in to transform the restaurant for dinner at Louise’s by dimming the lights and putting down tablecloths.
The red walls and copper-coated ceiling the Lundstroms plan to have will also add to that ambiance. They also are planning to add an L-shaped bar with stools, outdoor seating and a curbside carryout service, Rick Lundstrom said. The full-service bar will be a separate area for anyone 21 and older.
As construction and restaurant improvements take place, the breakfast/lunch operation will remain open, Rick Lundstrom said.
“I hope everybody understands it’s going to actually be two restaurants in the same space,” he said. “… I’m really thrilled [Harrah] is staying with us to run the daytime part. It’s a plus for us, the customers already know her, she knows the restaurant, she knows the kitchen.”
Both Lundstroms emphasized that despite all the physical changes, Louise’s food will remain the same.
“… The one thing we’re not going to do is change the food. The food will be Louise’s food, same as it was in 1939,” Rick Lundstrom said. “And I believe, and I hope I’m right, it’s a destination restaurant ... It’s up to us to maintain the quality, which has always been there, and as long as I have the capability of doing it, it won’t change.”
Some new dishes are expected to be added, too, including veggie pastas and other lighter dishes. Rick Lundstrom also expects to have a light catering menu available.
“… I think you always have to be fresh in your approach,” Rob Lundstrom said. “I guess what we’re hoping to do is provide a fresh approach to what’s been an old-time Terre Haute tradition.”
Crystal Garcia can be reached at (812) 231-4271 or crystal.garcia@tribstar.com.