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Luciano & Nancy Mottola
Hatteberg's People
Reporter: Larry Hatteberg
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October 22, 2006--Luciano and Nancy Mottola could have put their restaurant anywhere in the U.S. She is from Mulvane, he is from Italy. They picked Mulvane.
He uses his family recipes and together they have created an ‘experience’ more than a restaurant. And unlike other businesses --- money is not their goal. |
“It’s a team effort, it’s not just Luciano and I who make this happen, it’s everybody that’s here who works so hard that cares.”
“It was phenomenal.”
“Great, that’s what we like to hear. That’s what we like to hear.”
“This is where I grew up. This is my history. When I was a little girl we did all of our shopping on Main street and now it’s empty and we want to see it full again. We want to see people remember what the character and soul of this town is about.” |
“You come here and feel like you are in Italy. I think the best thing in life is food, so why not enjoy.”
And so the adventure began. Nancy met Luciano Mottola during a three-year stay in Italy. They fell in love --- and together brought his idea of bringing a little bit of the Italian lifestyle to Mulvane. |
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“We talked a long time about putting it in Mulvane or putting it in Wichita --- but there were people in the community who really supported the idea of it being here, and we knew it would be a risk, but it would be a risk in Wichita as well.”
“It’s life.”
Luciano comes from the Viareggio in the Tuscany region of Italy. He is one of seven siblings. Their menu is his families’ recipes…but it is more than just food that they bring to the plate.
“My family is more valuable to me, my friends, and my word. There are certain aspects of life that I think sometimes society gets in such a big hurry that we forget….to enjoy life…yes, to value those things that are more valuable than money.”
They want you to ‘experience’ their life in Italy. People gathering, laughing, talking and ignoring the clock. Instead, concentrate on living life. |
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“We admire you…Happy birthday dear.”
“It’s when people sit down, have a great meal, and great conversation
and they just lose themselves in the moment that we can help to bring
them. That is why we do it.”
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“A lot of people said we were crazy. But I at least want to try and I want to show other people who are thinking about taking this kind of risk that it is possible.”
“Thank you so much.”
“You can make a difference, you can change the community.”
“Thanks, thanks a lot.”
“You know, we don’t feel like we’ve made it…we haven’t. There is so much more that we want to do.” |
“Just enjoy!”
“It’s like an adventure.”
“It’s like regular life.”
Luciano says they chose Mulvane because the people were warm and friendly --- just like those in his hometown in Italy.
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Larry’s note: Luciano’s is located at 216 West Main Street in Mulvane, Kansas. Nancy and Luciano can be reached at: 316 777-0045
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