JESSICA HARPER AARON VEHLING TAD JOHNSON
Gift shop closes in Eagan 2A Lakeville building in foreclosure 2A Train horns silenced in Rosemount 2A
dakotacountytribune.biz dakotacountytribune.biz
DATE ##, 2009 JANUARY 12, 2012
VOLUME 30, NUMBER # VOLUME 32, NUMBER 46
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INSIDE BIZ
Casa Nostra expands
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List of resolutions offered for state legislators to help steer Minnesota f inance and tax policy in the right direction. PHIL 4A KRINKIE
Lakeville Italian restaurant now has full bar, larger dining area
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by Aaron Vehling DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
As it enters its third year serving Italian family recipes, Lakeville’s Casa Nostra has much to celebrate. This month it took over vacant neighboring space, nearly doubling its dining room size and adding a full-service bar. Proprietors Mario and Nina Pelagalli said they had been contemplating an expansion for some time. Previously, Nina said, “there was not enough room to seat all the customers. Some would leave because they had to wait.” Occasionally, customers would note the absence of a full bar and decided on other options. No longer. Cornerstone Copy’s move from its space at Heritage Commons on County Road 50 to downtown Lakeville allowed the Pelagallis to fulfill their dream by expanding into its neighboring space. In addition to the expanded liquor opportunities and ample dining area, the Pelagallis also intend to offer entertainment options. DJs, Frank Sinatra tributes and more are some of the possibilities the Pelagallis envision. The couple said this combination gives them an improved ability to serve large groups and private parties. In December, the Lakeville City Council approved the liquor license for Casa Nostra. Photo by Aaron Vehling Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Nina and Mario Pelagalli have expanded their Casa Nostra Italian restaurant in Lakeville, nearly doubling the Todd Bornhauser praised the size of their dining room and adding a full-service bar. Pelagallis at the meeting. “They’ve been a chamber member since they recipes and dining room ambiance speak to this ray of menu items, everything from antipasti and salads to pastas, saltimboccas, paninis and pizza. opened up,” he said. “It’s great to see a small, sentiment. The Pelagallis serve recipes from each of their Desert offerings include tiramisu, cannoli and family-owned business able to expand.” families – Nina’s father is from outside of Naples spumoni. ‘Our house’ and Mario’s is from Rome. This combination of The Pelagallis ensure their chefs tackle these Casa Nostra is Italian for “our house.” Its culinary offerings provides diners with a vast arSee Casa Nostra, Page 6A
Burnsville-based 360 Communities prepared to move forward with its mission at a time when its services are needed most. JEFF 4A MORTENSEN BEST PRACTICES
Building and remodeling using “green” principles is the best way to perserve the world’s f inite resources. BILL 5A WOODSON DAKOTA ARTS
Bluegrass Americana Family Night series returns for more flat-pickin’ fun at Celts Pub & Grill in RICK Rosemount. ANDERSON 28A
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General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Advertising 952-846-2011
Local businesswoman, volunteer Nancy Quinnell dies Nancy Quinnell battled cancer
will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.” Quinnell, a Lakeville resident and tireless volunby Tad Johnson teer who died Jan. 6 after and John Gessner a battle with cancer, did THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS enough good deeds to fill Nancy Quinnell’s favorite quote a large volume during her Nancy was from Norwegian playwright life. She was 51. Quinnell Henrik Ibsen: “A thousand words The senior vice presi-
dent for operations of Hollstadt and Associates since 1996 and Lakeville Rotary member since 2001, left her imprint in business and civic involvement. The 2011 Dakota County Tribune Exceptional Businesswoman Award winner said during an interview last
year that she wore many hats with the company and was always up for a challenge. She was responsible for service delivery, quality, staff development and retention for the business’s management and technology consulting staff that ranges from 100 to 140. Quinnell started at Hollstadt
and Associates, a former Burnsville company that recently moved to Mendota Heights, as a consultant but moved into an office role after a year and a half, creating a resource management program to strengthen the company’s consultant retention, development and effectiveness. See Quinnell, Page 6A