Photo by Stephen de Ropp
After delaying its opening for over a month, Cafe Ivéta owners said the restaurant will open its doors next week. Last December, owner John Bilanko signed a four-year, six-month lease for the restaurant space under the Graduate Student Commons in Quarry Plaza and estimated that the space would be open by March 1.
Bilanko said Cafe Ivéta passed its health department inspection last week, and he’s waiting on an oven installation and plumbing repair before opening. Remaining work includes installing signage and menu boards, connecting the register system and completing additional staff training.
Bilanko said 25-30 students were hired to work at Cafe Ivéta on campus, with more interviews continuing after opening. The cafe’s beer and wine license has not yet been issued, and alcohol will not be served at next week’s scheduled opening.
“There were several small electrical, plumbing and equipment issues, together with the difficulty of scheduling work during spring break, that caused things to get pushed out a couple of weeks,” Bilanko said. “These are common problems that occur in this kind of project. No one in particular was responsible for the delay.”
The space has been empty since last June, when Joe’s Pizza and Subs declined a three-year lease extension after occupying the space since 2003.
Cafe Ivéta will be open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Sundays.
