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 The cut was prefaced by acknowledgement of the
anniversary of D-Day and a request for a few words from local
veteran Joe Schaler. Also on hand Friday for the cut was a second
well known and much appreciated veteran Bill Gossett, who served
during World War II, and a number of other veterans that were
invited by the Drews.
The Drews had asked that the anniversary of D-Day be remembered at
their cut as a show of love and respect for our veterans and the
freedom they have provided for all of us.
As all gathered behind the ribbon in preparation for the cut,
Schaler was called forward from the crowd. He spoke briefly noting
the importance of the day in our American history and how D-Day was
the turning point of World War II.
Schaler said what our veterans have given is so
important to all of us and it is important that we honor them, and
the best way to do so is to ‘pay it forward’ by honoring those who
are serving now, and continually showing our love and respect to all
veterans for their service to our country.
The crowd was acknowledged with emcee Nila Smith saying that with so
many present, it was going to take a lot of time to name each one,
she would therefore acknowledge there were many guests present
representing the city government, as well as the county government.
She also noted that it was endearing to see that there were several
downtown business owners on hand. It served as a testament that
within the city, while many of us compete for business, we are all
still part of a special family that keeps our downtown thriving.
Lisa Drew was the first one to speak on behalf of
Sorrento’s. Giovanni and Anna Curcuru with their son Sam and
daughter Nina settled in Lincoln in 1969. They came from Sicily
traveling Route 66 looking for a place to call home.
Drew spoke of this saying that the family passed many towns, but
they didn’t stop until they reached Lincoln. The first restaurant
was opened on Chicago Street, but only for a short time before
moving to the corner of Chicago and Pulaski where it remained until
1998. When Sam died in ‘98, Lisa and her children moved the
restaurant to 521 Broadway Street where they stayed for six years.
Then they moved again, this time to 604 Broadway where they stayed
for 15 years. Lisa remarried in 2005 and Jim Drew became a big part
of the family-owned business. In 2018, the pizzeria made what Lisa
says is its last move to 614 Broadway Street.
The family is fully invested in the restaurant and Drew noted her
son Tony is a big part of the restaurant and that daughter Jetty and
even grand-daughter Mia are also involved and now make up what is
four generations of the family owned business.
Drew commented, “I’m not sure that Giovanni, Anna, Sam or Nina had
any idea that this pizzeria would be a part of Lincoln after 50
years, but I am sure they would all be proud and would want us to
tell you all hello.”
Drew went on to express appreciation to a large number of people.
She noted that today the restaurant serves families and enjoys
seeing multiple generations coming into their business. She
acknowledged a tremendously dedicated and hardworking staff who
gives all they have to make the business a success. She noted her
children and said while some were not able to join them on this day
she was happy and thankful for their support. She also acknowledged
her son Tony, daughter Jetty and granddaughter Mia.
Lisa gave special thanks to her husband Jim, whom she said has
supported her in every choice she has made for the restaurant and
never questioned her when she presented him with new ideas. And he
never once said he has put up with me and all my ideas, and through
two moves has never said, ‘You wanna’ move again?’ or ‘You wanna
build what?’ He just simply joined me on this journey and has helped
me and supported me.”
She concluded with an acclamation “let’s go for another 50 years!”
That led into a few comments made by the third generation of the
family, Tony and Jetty.
Tony began saying “Fifty years – that’s a lot of
pizza’s but more importantly it is a lot of lives that have been
reached. I want to say thanks to the community. Those relationships
and friendships, all your support for all these years really means a
lot.”
Jetty also spoke to the group, thanking everyone for
coming to join in the celebration. She noted that Sorrento’s has
been a part of her life her entire life and she has eaten so much
pizza, but isn’t tired of it yet. She noted that she worked in the
pizzeria even though she didn’t always want to. Yet the pizzeria
taught her many things. She remembered her grandparents and said her
grandma never forgot a customer and knew what they ordered. She
concluded saying that her grandparents and her dad would be very
proud of her mom for all that she has done.
The next person to speak was the fourth generation of
the family, Mia. Mia in recent months has started helping out at the
restaurant and is very excited to be a part of it. She had a
prepared speech that she had written herself. “My name is Mia and I
am 10 years old. I am the granddaughter of Jim and Lisa Drew. I just
wanted to thank all of you for coming to Sorrento’s 50th Anniversary
ribbon cutting ceremony. I have been working at Sorrento’s for about
three months now and it has been a great experience for me to be
able to do so. I am so proud of the business. I am so thankful that
we can all be here tonight.”
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Slipping in after the ceremony had started was
Illinois Representative Tim Butler. He was acknowledged and asked if
he would like to speak. Butler kept it very brief saying that he had
eaten a lot of Sorrento’s pizza when he and his wife lived in
Lincoln and they still enjoy it today.
Early in the event, Lisa had given praise to God for the blessings
he had put on her and her family. To that end, she had asked that
local pastor Ron Otto from the Lincoln Christian Church come in and
offer a closing prayer of thanksgiving for the family, the business,
and the community that supports them so strongly.
Otto began with a personal note saying that he had
been on travels when he had an opportunity to mention to someone
that he was from Lincoln and the person he was speaking to had
immediately asked if Sorrento’s was still there. He was happy to
share that the restaurant and the family are still going strong in
Lincoln, Illinois.
After the prayer, the Drews and Mia manned the
scissors with Tony and Jetty nearby. After the posed pictures the
crowd helped with the countdown and the ribbon was cut.
All the guests were invited inside for cake and
Gelato, and a time of visiting and remembering the history of the
restaurant and the family that has worked so hard to make it
successful.
As part of their anniversary preparation, Lisa Drew spent time
recently with Geoff Ladd of the Illinois Route 66 Byway. The Curcuru
family history has significance within the Lincoln Route 66 history
because their family came “down Route 66” to find their home in
Lincoln.
Drew shared history as well as a couple of photos with Ladd.
Excerpts from that article written by Ladd are included below:
Giovanni and Anna (aka Mamma
Sorrento) Curcuru opened Sorrento’s Pizza in 1969. They came from
the small town of Cinisi, Italy in Sicily. After Giovanni and Anna
ran the shop for a while, it was passed to their son, Serafino (aka
“Sammy”). He was the face of the shop for many years and was known
for always remembering your pizza order and having sweet muscle
cars. The restaurant featured family recipes as it does to this day,
and provides “a taste of old-world Italian style” to downtown
Lincoln.
When “Sammy” passed away in 1998, Sorrento’s was left to be run by
his wife, Lisa, and their four kids: John, Annalisa, Jetty and Tony.
It was not an easy transition, but it very much became a family
effort. Everyone played a part in keeping Sorrento’s going as best
they could.
Today, owners Jim & Lisa Drew, along with son Tony, manage the
restaurant as a “family effort.” Tony manages the kitchen and the
social media, although it has been Lisa who has been providing
incredible historic photos and stories on the Sorrento’s Facebook
page.
The family restaurant moved three doors down from their previous
location in August of last year. With the new location, Sorrento’s
can accommodate several small groups, and large groups as well,
including wedding rehearsal parties and family gatherings for the
holidays (call ahead for bookings). The restaurant holds 70 people –
twice the size of the previous location. The change in location has
also increased carry-out traffic. Tony attributes this to the
outdoor patio and the quaint inviting atmosphere on the inside.
“It is a testimony to the business over the years that our
family-run business has touched a lot of lives,” said Tony Curcuru.
“We have seen a great response on our Facebook page as we approach
this milestone anniversary.” Tony has also started a Cannoli
business on the side.
Owner Jim Drew says, “We all pitch in as a family member. I’m not
home at night (he laughs).” His wife Lisa agrees. “It is a sacrifice
to run your own business, but you have to love it. We enjoy the
people as we remember the past and from our restaurant we hope to
make their lives better.”
Though the location has changed, the same delicious menu remains.
The pizzas are made fresh to order with fresh ingredients, whole and
natural, and contain no artificial ingredients. The dough is made
fresh daily. Specialty pizza favorites include Sam’s Light Pizza,
Taco Pizza, BBQ Chicken Pizza. Calzone and Salads are also served.
Holiday menu items are also rolled out during Valentine’s Day and
St. Patrick’s Day.
Sorrento’s has a large following of regulars from central Illinois,
including Peoria, Morton, Bloomington and Decatur. With the return
of Route 66 signage to the downtown, they have seen an increase in
international travelers from countries such as Belgium, France,
Germany and the U.K.
“We finally have the first alignment of Route 66 signed in Lincoln
that traverses to the historic downtown business district, which is
something that has not happened since 1929,” said Geoff Ladd of the
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. “We are already seeing more visitors
as a result, which benefits downtown businesses, and this will only
increase as we approach the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.”
[Nila Smith with excerpts by Geoff Ladd – Illinois Route 66 Scenic
Byway] |
