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The Spot opens new
Published Monday, November 3, 2008
Photo by Lauren Radomski
Michael Loreno, owner of The Spot on West Lincoln Avenue, makes the paninis served at his restaurant.
The re-opening of The Spot along West Lincoln Avenue has been a long time coming for Michael Loreno.
Loreno, who’s owned the building for the past five years, first considered starting a Mexican restaurant at the site, but later decided on a wine/panini bar. Along with his wife, Mary, and children, Marisa, 20, and Courton, 17, Loreno gutted the building from front to back before opening the new restaurant in mid-October.
“This has been a complete change for me,” said Loreno, who spent years working in nonprofits. “I just wanted to open my own business.”
The Spot, once a restaurant and pool hall bearing the same name, now offers hot sandwiches, cheese trays, desserts and over 50 varieties of wine. The building has been completely remodeled: the kitchen is now at the back of the building, the pine floors are new, the plaster is Venetian, and the ceiling’s old drop tiles are gone.
Loreno creates the paninis himself and says he’s working on his speed.
“Seeing 14 people walk through the door at one time was both exciting and scary,” he said, referring to an evening last week when customers depleted his bread supply.
With Loreno in the kitchen, Marisa serves as manager and Courton washes dishes. Loreno says he plans to hire additional staff in the future, and would also like to offer take-out.
The Spot, located at 220 West Lincoln Ave., is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by sweetfergusgirl (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was just there on Saturday and it was great. I'll definitely be a repeat customer. Fergus needed this!
Posted by HotFergusMan (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I needed to eat on Sunday, drove over their, and learned quickly that I needed to eat else where (they're not open on Sundays).
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't wait to check it out!
Jamie Cooper
Posted by jamieann (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Been there 3(4?) times since they've opened, and have tried a different sandwich everytime, and enjoyed them all. I'm surely going to be a repeat customer.
Posted by watermelon (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The city needs more restaurants like this. Only thing I'm confused with is what the name of the new restaurant is. I assume by the article that they are still calling it "the spot?"
I don't know if I would want my newly opened panini restaurant named after a formerly dark n'dank bar/pool hall that reeked of urine and stale cigarette smoke and whose only clientele were inebriated old farmers.
I would have at the least come up with a different name. How about Fergalissimo?
Posted by antiquesforsale (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Back in the 60's when THE SPOT was a bar/pool hall - my father (who was a respected local farmer and not inebriated) used to meet his farmer friends for a beer and a quick game of snooker pool. I was 12 and enjoyed sitting at the bar drinking a grape pop and eating a hamburger with fried onions! The guys had a great time and loved to have a place where they could always find a buddy to shoot a game with and enjoy a few minutes of time off. Very good memories and I don't remember it smelling of urine - maybe cigarette smoke but that went along with the whole ambiance of a 60's bar........
Posted by Nyrad (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gotta agree...the old name doesn't bring up any ideas of freshly made sandwiches and refreshing drink. Knowing the past atmosphere makes the name "The Spot" sound unappetizing. Not that I won't try it, but you really got to change the name. Sorry.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I for one, am glad to see the historical name still in use. I remember getting cheeseburgers to go from there as my mother did arts and crafts next door.
I wish there was a place serving burgers like the spot did locally now!
Jamie Cooper
Posted by ajohnsonx (anonymous) on November 4, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nyrad,
Go tell the owner to change the name, not the people who sit on here all day making comments. If you want change, you have to put it into action.
Posted by jeepman (anonymous) on November 4, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was in the other night. Great change from the old building. I do agree with the name...at least the sign out front should be changed to reflect the "New Spot". Also the atmosphere was nice...it would be nice to see more lounge type seating. I haven't tried the food but the wine and dessert were good. I will definately be back and spread the word.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the spot has great food and wine, great people working there.
my new favorite local eatery!
Jamie Cooper
Posted by username (anonymous) on November 6, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great food, friendly service. I will definitely be back!!
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