DUBLIN, Ohio — For Nick Lalli, there are constant reminders of his father William, the founding chef of La Scala Restaurant which opened in 1972 — from a business card that remains on his desk, to his personal chef jacket.
“This was his chef jacket. What do you think about when you see it? Just how much I miss him,” said Nick Lalli.
William Lalli fell ill in June and passed away from complications of COVID-19 in July at the age of 67. His only son Nick is hoping to keep La Scala, and second venture Vittoria Prime Italian Steakhouse, open during these challenging times.
But restaurant traffic is down everywhere, and the banquet hall, their bread and butter, remains empty due to the pandemic.
“So many weddings were scheduled for 2020, and now, we’re at a point where can we even stay afloat? With payroll, rent, taxes, all that stays the same, but income is a third of what it use to be,” said Lalli.
So, Lalli is pleading with the public to help support his restaurants, setting up a GoFundMe page hoping to raise $75,000, which he thinks could provide funds for at least two more months for rent and payroll for nearly 100 employees.
Lalli says he’s hoping the central Ohio community will come together and show its gratitude for a business that has served Dublin and beyond for nearly five decades, and help keep his father’s memory and dream alive.
“So many loyal people, they tell us they are here every Christmas Eve. They’ve been coming for 30 years. They had their wedding here, they had their anniversary here. We’re just trying to see if anyone can possibly help so we can keep those traditions alive,” said Lalli.
If you would like to donate to the La Scala of Dublin Family Relief Fund, you can go to their Facebook page or their GoFundMe donation page.
