Two Family Owned Businesses Reunited
Two Family Owned Businesses Reunited
By Karl Remick, ADA VP
If you are from the western part of St. Charles County, MO; odds are you have been to or know of, Stefanina’s Wentzville. Before Wentzville grew to what it is now, Stefanina’s was one of few places to get your fix of handmade pizza and Italian style cuisine. Friendly staff, fantastic food and a great atmosphere really come together at Stefanina’s. This venue represents the true meaning of a, “Family Establishment.” Stefanina’s is located at 762 W. PEARCE BLVD WENTZVILLE, MO. Kate, Chris and I are very familiar with the restaurant as we have all worked there a time or two in our lives. Ironically, we are all together again here at ADA Home Office! Before we get to where darts and pizza collide though; a little history on the Italian restaurant.
Stefanina Roderick Vitale and her family migrated to the United States from Cinisi, Sicily (a small town just outside of Palermo, Italy) at the age of 14. She worked for years in the garment district of St. Louis, and spent many days at, “The Hill” (famous for many fine Italian Restaurants in St. Louis). She eventually moved west and opened the very first Stefanina’s Restaurant and Pizzeria; in O’Fallon, Missouri.
Many years later, one of Stefanina’s daughters decided to sell her Wentzville location. Longtime employee, Denise Gannon, became interested in taking over the location with her husband Ryan; and her brother and sister-in-law, Greg and Kristin Raeman. Denise became an employee of Stefanina’s in 1985, and learned nearly every aspect of the restaurant business over the years; from the Stefanina’s family. She also received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1993. The Gannon’s and Raeman’s took ownership of this location in 2000, and strive to uphold the quality and traditions that Stefanina herself began 30 years ago; while continuing to honor the original recipes. Denise added, “I’d been working here for so long already and I loved what I did, whether it was working in the kitchen or dining room. I love being busy. I thrive in the chaos of a busy Friday night. I’d seen how Dan and Linda started and grew this place; after Stef passed away I wanted to continue it.”
As mentioned above, Stefanina’s is well aware of the ADA employees, all of our families, and where our passion lies; darts! Throughout the years this place has become our, “go to,” establishment. Whether it be for family dinners, date nights, business lunches, lunch breaks and/or the occasional pop in for a beer and wings. The late Glenn Remick would always go in for one of their AmberBock Draught, “fish bowls,” as he would call them. Years back, the ADA also had an in-house steel tip league going on with the electronic Vortex Machines. During the down time at the restaurant, employees would go back to the dart room and throw a few games. That said, it made perfect sense to us to go to Denise and Ryan to ask for a sponsorship/partnership through the American Dart League of St. Charles County (ADA Area 633). They agreed, and we are extremely happy to have them on board for the rest of 2016! You will be seeing the Stefanina’s representation at all our Budweiser Professional Tours, tournaments, and special events. The next event is coming up here: https://www.adadarters.com/event/steel-tip-june-bud-pro-tour-blind-draw-bounty-550-added-ada-area-633/
When asked what were her main positives for being an owner, Denise answered, “Meeting interesting, amazing people within our community. Some of our lifelong friendships have been made from a customer becoming a regular, as well as lifelong friendships being formed with employees (even after they move on). I get to work from my heart instead of just for a paycheck.” Denise’s next step? Getting her on the dart board in league! “Ryan and I have never played darts before…….we’re always at work,” she said with a laugh.
If you are a card carrying ADA Member, please visit Stefanina’s Wentzville and receive 10% off your total order while dinning in or carrying out. Check out the link for Stefanina’s complete menu and more: http://stefaninas-wentzville.com/
All of us here at the American Darters Association Home Office; hope that our Members and their families, find the same satisfaction and enjoyment that we have at Stefanina’s Wentzville over the years.
We would like to thank Denise & Ryan Gannon, along with their fantastic staff, for taking care of all of the ADA members across St. Charles County and the surrounding areas!