A local Italian food market and deli opened an attached party and meeting facility offering catered food Sunday.
The owners of Mistretta's Italian Market and Deli held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Brook Club, located at 5 N. Shafer St., Thursday at 1 p.m.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce and representatives from the Ohio University Credit Union and the Enterprise Development Corporation, both of which helped finance the business.
We wanted to welcome a new business to the community
said Larry Payne, membership service coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce.
The building, located behind Mistretta's Italian Market and next to University Commons, will mainly serve as a catered meeting and party space. It will provide gourmet Italian foods and drinks, much like what is already offered at the Market.
Bill and Jennifer Mistretta Clancy have owned and operated Mistretta's Italian Market since June 2000. The concept for The Brook Club was developed when customers recommended a dining area in a customer survey two years ago.
It was economical too. We had a tenant that moved out and couldn't fill the space Bill Clancy said.
The Brook Club opened Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It offered a brunch buffet including egg strata, Italian sausage, fresh orange juice and Lavazza coffee. The business will most likely offer more meals throughout the week, but the Clancys have not determined times.
We'll probably settle into a routine
but we don't know what it will be yet
Bill Clancy said.
The Brook Club was named after Bill Clancy's favorite college hangout. The building burned down, and this is a sort of tribute to it, he said.
I stole the name from a place that hasn't been in existence for 25 years
Bill Clancy said.
The building seats 60 and has a small stage. They hope to start booking acts and offering entertainment eventually, Bill Clancy said.
People can also book the facility for meetings and other gatherings.
The Brook Club does not have a license to serve liquor, but customers are welcome to bring their own bottles and have them opened free of charge.
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