Grandi Italiani

Hundreds Show Up After Owner Makes Public Plea For Support | Eater LA

"After opening in late June, I watched Grand Italiani — the Canoga Park restaurant Aron Celnik started to bring Italian-American classics to a new generation — struggle so much that it planned to close; Celnik posted a Nov. 20 Facebook plea and hundreds of customers showed up, saving the place. I learned he had exhausted his financial resources after buying the 7,400-square-foot Canoga Park building and was ready to hand out his employees’ last checks, but longtime staff and former Andre’s employees volunteered extra hours without pay, the community response was overwhelming, and he’s now hiring to meet demand. As Celnik put it, “And now people know we’re here.”" - Mona Holmes