Omaha Forums

Imperative Voice FB saying the Venice Inn's days could be numbered.

iamjacobm wrote:Imperative Voice FB saying the Venice Inn's days could be numbered.

It will be sad to see it go if it does. Omaha needs some basic middle class steak houses. Their place has too much crammed into too little space, but the food is reliable and the costs are affordable.

iamjacobm wrote:Imperative Voice FB saying the Venice Inn's days could be numbered.

Someone in the comments stated that the building has been sold.

https://www.facebook.com/ImperativeVoice" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I hope that is not true. My wife and I have been there 2-3 times and think it reminds us of all the little supper clubs in Wisconsin. These old restaurants have so much character compared to all the chain places.

This would be tragic. So few Old School Omaha restaurants exist any more.

Heard a rumor that the Venice Inn was sold by the owners, and that the people that bought it are looking it to demolish it. Has any one heard this or know anything about if its true or not?

This was mentioned yesterday over here:


EDIT - MERGED THE POSTS

Several posts dated today (2-9-14) claiming to know it's true that the building has been sold and will be demolished for a chain. So it looks like the rumor is picking up steam.

They are not listed as sold... Yet. They are not responding to inquiries...

That would really be sad, it would leave Piccolo's as the only Caniglia run steakhouse left. Was a time when there were several. Hope the rumor isn't true

If the rumor is true and I were to speculate, with Applebee's at Crossroads slated to be razed with that redevelopment, 72nd and Pacific might not be a bad spot to relocate to.

jessep28 wrote:If the rumor is true and I were to speculate, with Applebee's at Crossroads slated to be razed with that redevelopment, 72nd and Pacific might not be a bad spot to relocate to.

I am not saying it won't happen, but I worked for the local Applebee's franchise Owner for a few years back in the late 90's. That locations isn't something they would pick, or at least the wouldn't have picked back then. They would rather be close to a new Crossroads than over a mile south of it.

However, there is another national chain hot for property in that immediate area. It seems like would be more of their type a location based on another Omaha location they currently have. One site they looked was so close you could see Venice Inn from it.

The good news is, if it goes away it will not likely be for a pad site restaurant. So, may be worth it.

cdub wrote:The good news is, if it goes away it will not likely be for a pad site restaurant.  So, may be worth it.

Why is that? Zoning? I noticed its not a platted lot, its still in lands, so going forward, it would need to be platted and then all the current rules would kick in and I am guessing it would get a new zoning.

Brad, care to divulge what restaurant is look at going in there?

lmdramos wrote:Brad, care to divulge what restaurant is look at going in there?

Sorry, I have said all I can, may be even too much...

This would be a horrible trade for Omaha. Chain for Venice Inn. Especially one that's already in the market. Hate to see us lose another Omaha original, and a signature restaraunt. Last thing I do when I travel is eat at chain restaraunts. I always try to eat at the local specialties. When I entertain vistor's here, one of my go to spots is to take them to the old school italian/steak houses. Getting harder and harder to do. Sad if this news is true.

Greg

Greg S wrote:This would be a horrible trade for Omaha.  Chain for Venice Inn.  Especially one that's already in the market.  Hate to see us lose another Omaha original, and a signature restaraunt.  Last thing I do when I travel is eat at chain restaraunts.  I always try to eat at the local specialties.  When I entertain vistor's here, one of my go to spots is to take them to the old school italian/steak houses.  Getting harder and harder to do.  Sad if this news is true.

Greg

No matter where you are, local joints are always the way to go.

Chains build their recipes in labs and season everything to some mythical average taste instead of some chef's vision. You end up with KFC instead of Bronco's. Would anyone really say that KFC makes better chicken than Bronco's, Alpine Inn, or Ritchies? Sometime the vision is not what you share, but at least its unique and flavored according to some artistic sensibility rather than a Chi-Square table.

Frankly, Omaha should start a policy on chain restaurants that we don't allow TIF or City road bonds, or any other property tax abatement for a franchise restaurant.

I spoke to a Caniglia family member this evening. He indicated that while negotiations have occurred in the past few months with would be developers, that the negotiations fell through before the end of last year, and that no negotiations are ongoing. The family has no one to turn the restaurant over to when the aging owners retire, so there is interest in selling the property. But for now, the restaurant has not been sold and is open for business as usual.

Thanks for that report!

bigredmed wrote:Frankly, Omaha should start a policy on chain restaurants that we don't allow TIF or City road bonds, or any other property tax abatement for a franchise restaurant.

I do know that some municipalities in California have been implementing zoning restrictions for "formula restaurants".

Omababe wrote:

bigredmed wrote:Frankly, Omaha should start a policy on chain restaurants that we don't allow TIF or City road bonds, or any other property tax abatement for a franchise restaurant.

I do know that some municipalities in California have been implementing zoning restrictions for "formula restaurants".

I am not sure that would be a good thing... Granted, we have enough Applebee's, Village Inn's, Taco Bells, and other chain restaurants. However I am sure there more unique chain restaurants out there the city can benefit from? I mean, where do you draw the line? Two place I love are both "technically" chains, Hiro 88 and 801 chophouse? Should we eliminate them?

That said, I choose Local places over any of the big chains all the time and I do consider 801 and 88 more of a "local" chain. I think it would be much better if you educated people on food than force another pointless law at them because you disagree with their choices for food.

Finally, if the Land Lord or Developer wanted to not rent to a Chain place AKA The Mercer's, I am totally cool with that.

I'm not sure a typical chain has enough room for parking but mostly, I've just seen a better plan. Not to say thats the one that will win, but hopefully.

KETV reports that the restaurant will now be closing:

Family-owned Italian restaurant will be closing

Caniglia's Venice Inn was started in 1957

Published 9:02 PM CST Feb 18, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. —A popular, family-owned Italian restaurant will be closing its doors.

For nearly 60 years, Caniglia's Venice Inn near 69th and Pacific streets has been an Omaha staple for Italian food.

"offers on the building" = time to sell and retire.

bbinks wrote:"offers on the building" = time to sell and retire.

= kids have no interest in the business.

Channel 7 reported tonight that no decision has been announced as to when the restaurant will close...only that a decision has been made to close.

Another sad sight to see...losing another great local Omaha restaurant.

Venice Inn to close; Omaha to be without a Caniglia-named eatery for 1st time in 94 years

Sarah Baker Hansen: World-Herald staff writer wrote:The brothers have sold the restaurant at 6920 Pacific St. to a developer that Jerry Caniglia declined to name.

Jerry Caniglia said he did not know what might open on the space, or whether it would be another restaurant or an office building.

The main reason the brothers have decided to sell is age: Jerry is 64, Chuck close to 70.

"We want to start enjoying our family," he said.

We should have an eomahaforums dinner here before May 3. Anyone interested?

nativeomahan wrote:We should have an eomahaforums dinner here before May 3.  Anyone interested?

I had been thinking the same...

Coyote wrote:

bbinks wrote:"offers on the building" = time to sell and retire.

= kids have no interest in the business.

Big Fred's isn't the same since the kids took it over. Maybe its for the best.

How long has all the neon on the Big "Venice Inn" sign been broken?

The OWH has a photo with it on and and can't remember seeing it on... These days they just have two large flood lights shining up on it. Just not the same.

Brad wrote:How long has all the neon on the Big "Venice Inn" sign been broken?

The OWH has a photo with it on and and can't remember seeing it on...  These days they just have two large flood lights shining up on it.  Just not the same.

That sign was a classic trademark of the business. The day they fail to see the importance of maintaining that sign, they've probably nearly given up on the business.

Hasn't the Big Fred's sign stopped spinning, too? I'm just waiting for them to replace that sign with some cheap lettering on the building.

S33 wrote:

Brad wrote:How long has all the neon on the Big "Venice Inn" sign been broken?

The OWH has a photo with it on and and can't remember seeing it on...  These days they just have two large flood lights shining up on it.  Just not the same.

That sign was a classic trademark of the business. The day they fail to see the importance of maintaining that sign, they've probably nearly given up on the business.

Hasn't the Big Fred's sign stopped spinning, too? I'm just waiting for them to replace that sign with some cheap lettering on the building.

Sad that the zoning codes do not allow for the classic/neon or large signage anymore. The tallest sign I can recall was the McDonald's on 63rd & Center.

bbinks wrote:

S33 wrote:

Brad wrote:How long has all the neon on the Big "Venice Inn" sign been broken?

The OWH has a photo with it on and and can't remember seeing it on...  These days they just have two large flood lights shining up on it.  Just not the same.

That sign was a classic trademark of the business. The day they fail to see the importance of maintaining that sign, they've probably nearly given up on the business.

Hasn't the Big Fred's sign stopped spinning, too? I'm just waiting for them to replace that sign with some cheap lettering on the building.

Sad that the zoning codes do not allow for the classic/neon or large signage anymore.  The tallest sign I can recall was the McDonald's on 63rd & Center.

I agree that some of those old signs are great. Unfortunately, most of the old signs are nasty boring plain and ugly. To prevent all that, you lose some of the good ones too. Everything already out there can be maintained, if the owner would bother. Downtown is still getting some great new, legal signs. Love the Marriot and chop house signs. Someone was supposed to get me a good photo of the chop house sign but he's not much on follow through with anything, so I'm still waiting!

cdub wrote:Someone was supposed to get me a good photo of the chop house sign but he's not much on follow through with anything, so I'm still waiting!

Are you looking for something like this? That Photo is really old, I can shoot a better one if your first person doesn't come through for you.

S33 wrote:Hasn't the Big Fred's sign stopped spinning, too?

Check it out yesterday. Its definitely on its last leg. It would spin a little, then it stopped, then moved a little more then stopped.

A little salt in the wound...

Next week they are going to start working on the bridge right in front of the Venice Inn...