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Immediatos hope to sell local cafe

By Lexi MooreHills’ only café, Donatello’s Café and Deli, was added to the local real estate market this week.The café is owned and operated by Eugene and Diane Immediato of Jasper. The couple decided in January to sell the restaurant they opened last June."I have accomplished what I wanted here and have other projects to move on to," said Eugene."I am a task-oriented person and I have been successful in this task. It is time for me tackle the next task."Their goal when purchasing the building from the City of Hills in December 2003 was to fill a need of the community. The couple feels they have fulfilled that need and now hope someone local buys the restaurant."It would be nice if someone local, who knows the pulse of Hills, takes over," he said.The opening of the restaurant changed the look of Main Street in Hills. In the opening months, cars, lawnmowers and bicycles filled formerly empty spaces on the road.Eugene said the business has been profitable and fun to operate.Both his wife, Diane, and his son, Eugene Jr., said they are sad to see the place leave the family’s hands.Eugene Jr. said, while making a sandwich, "I love this place – the people, the work — it has been great for me."Community excitement changed to an overall positive response to the quality of food and the prices. After their sixth month anniversary in December, the couple reported being pleased with sales.They said the business has several untapped areas of potential, including pizza, catering and increased advertising.The Immediatos listed their business with Keith Elbers of Real Estate Retrievers.The listing, found on the Real Estate Retrievers Web site, describes the business as a "new restaurant and the only one in town, very profitable and productive."Eugene encourages interested buyers to contact Elbers to see the financial books and complete lists of mechanical inventory.The couple plans to sell the restaurant as a turnkey operation. They will train and assist new owners on every aspect of the business.The sale includes all of the equipment, training and the 140-by-67-foot building, which includes a large basement.The Immediatos say community support has been overwhelming, and leaving will be like leaving behind a family."People come in and you feed them, and that is an important relationship," Diane said. "I got used to seeing the same faces every day. It has been nice."

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