Rolando's New Shop
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ What a difference four months can make. The imagination and determination of the George Harris family has given the popular Rolando's Pizza Store a new home and a new look.
"Things are running great," said George Harris this morning of his all-new Rolando's Pizza restaurant on South Washington Street in downtown Du Quoin. For years, Rolando's operated out of a storefront restaurant in St. John's, then moved alongside Sudio's.
Visibility was always an issue. But, no more.
"First of all we would like to mention and send a special thanks to (attorney) Aaron Atkins, (accountant) Harold Emling, (Perry County Economic Development director) Jeff Ashauer and our friends and family for all of their support, encouragement and help with the new Rolandos Pizza Store," he said.
"We started renovating the old Domino's building in late September and opened for our first day of business on November 20th at 2 p.m. It was more of a challenge than met the eye," Harris said.
"Since Rolandos is more than pizza and salad, extensive demolition and remodeling had to be done to the building. We started by adding another vent exhaust hood to the southeast side of the kitchen to accommodate the deep fryers. Due to pasta cookers and prep sink areas, major plumbing had to be done. The electrical panel and several feet of electrical wiring were either added to or brought up to code. We then rebuilt the drive through window area," he said.
He said the restaurant partnered with Pepsi which installed the fountain soda equipment and counters. Soon we will be serving and delivering 24 oz. Pepsi fountain soda products to our customers. Fresh brewed sweet tea has also been added to menu," he said.
"To better serve our customers we have added all new pizza, salad, pasta and prep stations to the building. The outside of the building has been re-decorated and painted. Rolandos is now more than ever about WINGZ. Chicken wings that come in four different flavors. You can get them by the order or in the larger WINGZ party pieces. One of our most enthusiastic moments was when we added the lighted WINGZ sign to the top of the drive thru tower," he said.
At present customers can order food by phone and have it delivered or they may come and pick it up at the drive thru window.
" They are also welcome to come into the front lobby, place an order and carry it out. Coming Soon In January 2009!!! Rolando's will open it's Outdoor Menu Board and Drive Thru Service. Customers will be able to drive to the outdoor menu board, place their order, then pick up and pay at the drive thru window," he said.
" Our food is made to order. Rolandos has over 50 different food items on our menu. The motto is: Real fresh food made fast."
The restaurant also has a website. Rolando's website www.rolandos.biz highlights its menu. The website is currently undergoing a face lift with a new design.
The new and improved website should be completed in mid Jan. Restaurant hours are: Sunday through Thursday 10:30am - 10:30pm. Friday and Saturday 10:30am - 11:30pm .
Perry County Economic Development director Jeff Ashauer told the newspaper recently that much of the work was accomplished because of a partnership with the inventive Southern Illinois champion communities project, which has put together loan packages for six businesses or companies in the area.
The program extended a $50,000 business development loan which served as the launch pad for Rolando's Pizza. That is the same program that helped buy and develop the old Turco, Inc. building in Du Quoin. Ashauer said he believes the program will be important to the ongoing business development in Southern Illinois.