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Our Background
We opened for business on May 6, 2006 and are pleased to say that we have been busy since the day we opened our doors.
We picked Kimberling City, MO after searching for a restaurant location for a short time in the Fayetteville, AR and Bentonville, AR areas. We decided that
both of those areas were too congested for us, and we were looking for a small town atmosphere. My husband decided to drive north one day, from Eureka
Springs, AR and found the Kimberling City Shopping Center and was immediately drawn to it. I will never forget the day that he called me while I was still
in California and said "I think I found it."
The success that we have enjoyed all summer has certainly exceeded our expectations. Just yesterday, when I looked around during our busy lunch rush,
every table was seated. It is an awesome feeling and we are so happy that everyone loves our restaurant so much that they bring their families in with
them on Sundays.
We have about fifteen employees, mostly part time, as we work around "our kids" school schedules. During the day, we have adults that work for us part time
but with regular schedules. We are really proud that we have been able to create so many job opportunities in Kimberling City. We really try to treat our
employees like family members, and we refer to the whole group as Team Geraldi.
We have never owned a restaurant prior to opening Geraldi's Kimberling City. However, I have always loved to cook and cooked for my friends and family for
years. I especially love cooking Italian recipes, because it is easy to cook for two or twenty! Many people had told me that I should open a restaurant
some day and when I was ready for a career change, I finally did.
The Geraldi's name is derived from our friend's Mom's maiden name and is the name of twenty five restaurants that he opened in Oregon, Florida and New York,
where he is originally from. When we moved to Eureka Springs, AR from California to open a restaurant, Albert, the owner of the Geraldi's in downtown
Eureka Springs suggested that we open a Geraldi's since it was our first venture in the restaurant business. In the region, there are also Geraldi's
locations in Berryville and Holiday Island, Arkansas.
Neither David or myself are Italian by nationality, however, my Mom spent sixteen years in Italy and speaks the language. Her love of Italy and all things
Italian was passed on to me. We are very proud that people with Italian heritage love the authenticity and flavor of our food.
Prior to moving to Kimberling City, we were living in Vista, CA which is located in North County, San Diego. I grew up in Diamond Bar, CA but have lived in
several California cities and San Antonio, Texas too.
My husband has dreams of opening up other restaurants in maybe Nixa, Ozark or Springfield, but I am perfectly content with our one perfect Kimberling City
location. Right now, I can't imagine how we could have the time or energy to run more than one restaurant.
Susan Raffy Allen
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