SPRING VALLEY – It has stayed “la famiglia” for 100 years: Verucchi’s Ristorante in Spring Valley opened in 1914 at 600 N. Greenwood St., where it remains to this day.
Batista and Elizabeth “Mama” Verucchi were born in Pavullo, Italy, settled in Spring Valley in 1904, married in 1905, and opened the restaurant in 1914.
“Italian people lived in this area of Spring Valley where the restaurant is located,” said Dick Verucchi, a grandson. “Grandma was a good cook. She had no recipes. It was just a pinch here and there.”
Batista died in 1948, his wife in 1975. Their son, Arthur “Buzz” Verucchi, died in 1992. Today, the restaurant is run by Arthur’s wife, Bea, now 90, and their nine children: Dick, Barbara, Mary, Paula, Tricia, Tom, Bethie, Arthur “Buzz” Jr. and Joanie. A son, Jack, died in 2002.
Several of Bea’s 33 grandchildren are still active in the restaurant’s dining room, and 38 great-grandchildren also make appearances from time to time at the restaurant in eastern Bureau County.
Go to www.verucchis.com or call 815-663-6431 to learn more.