THUNDER BAY -- After 25 years, the Armando restaurant will close its doors for the final time on New Year’s Eve.
For Armando Volpe, running a restaurant was a passion, and that’s why he first opened the eatery on Cumberland Street across from the Prince Arthur Hotel.
He worked as a chef in Germany before coming to Canada in 1972. His restaurant became known for its homemade pastas and veal, but Volpe said he also made sure his customers received a personal touch.
The father of two said he plans to do more with his free time and wants to travel a bit with his wife, Pina, and continue to paint.
“I was in the restaurant businesses since I was a little kid,” the 63-year-old said.
“I washed dishes and stuff like that. This was a passion of mine all my life. When I came to Canada I couldn’t afford to open a restaurant and I couldn’t speak English. I met my wife and we decided to do what we knew best.”
Armando joins other local businesses that have shut its doors in 2012, including Dave Douglas Jewellers and Quality Market.
Volpe had originally wanted to call his restaurant Pinocchio after the story made famous by Disney, but his landlord recommended that he use his own name instead.
He eventually did use the name when he added an extension to his dining room.
Looking back over the years, Volpe said he has no regrets and looks forward to retirement.
“When you come in here you aren’t given food and then we kick you out,” he said.
“You come in here you stay, you relax and I talk to you. People like that. They like the attention and that’s what it was. The restaurant for me is a night out.”
Although Volpe is leaving the business, the restaurant will still stand but under a new name. He said that someone has already signed the building’s lease and will open a new restaurant.
