Rascals Owner Hopes to Please Patrons
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But he's still learning what that is.
"Right now, we're accepting comments from customers, asking people what they'd like to see, trying to do things we see other places, trying to offer something other people in the area don't have," said Rotolo, who purchased Rascals on Summer Street at the end of April.
The North Berkshire resident, who also owns Rotolo Home Improvement Inc., has no restaurant experience but he said he and manager/girlfriend Marci Levesque are ready to dive right in.
"We're trying a lot of different things right now and we want to wait and see how it goes. It's definitely new to us but we're open for input from customers. We just want to keep things changing, offering something new and different all the time," said Rotolo.
With providing a "nice, clean, comfortable atmosphere" for patrons his top priority, Rotolo said he's already received positive feedback from people who've popped in for a round or one of the lunch specials since their late May opening.
The bar and restaurant, with an interior facelift that includes a newly renovated bar area and a fresh coat of paint, is attracting not only the late-night crowd but also some local citizens looking for an affordable meal.
"We're really hoping that the food takes off. We have daily lunch specials — and they're always changing — and we're trying to keep it as affordable as possible," Rotolo said.
Friday's fish 'n' chips special has been a success and getting people into Rascals, where they can watch the new big-screen TVs and order one of the new brews on tap, is the key to making Rotolo's second business successful.
"I think we've had a great turnout. There are people who are continuing to come and a lot of new faces are becoming regulars. Everyone seems to be happy with the work we've done," said Rotolo.
Over the next few months, Rotolo and Levesque hope to try out a host of new specials and events to see what works and what doesn't.
"My motto is change is good. Instead of the same thing all the time, I like to change up what we offer. No one wants something that will be stagnant. We've got a new business here and we want to offer what people like," said Rotolo.
With a 25-cent chicken wing special on Tuesday nights, weekend live entertainment and (for now) free billiards, Rascals wants to do what it takes to bring people into his new pub and to keep them coming back.
"We want people to think of Rascals as the place to be," said Rotolo.
Rascals is open every day from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and offers lunch specials all day. New draft beers include Sam Adams seasonal beers, Magic Hat and Berkshire Brewing Co.
