[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14613]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROSTAS CAFE

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                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 18, 2015

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to help commemorate the 
65th anniversary of the establishment of Rostas Cafe. The restaurant, 
located in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, is a city landmark and has 
continually provided my constituents with a fantastic dining and 
community experience.
  Rostas Cafe was founded by John ``Kookie'' and Grace Rostas in 1950. 
The cafe originally opened as a bar, serving only fresh, hot pizza to 
the public. A true family business, John and Grace's daughter, Alfreda, 
became involved with her parent's enterprise when she was a teenager. 
Upon John's retirement, Alfreda and her husband, Tony Calucci, took 
over the restaurant. Tony's father, Nick, expanded the menu options to 
include hoagies, sandwiches, sizeable antipastos, and salads.
  Tragedy struck in March of 1994 when a fire devastated this Hazleton 
landmark, destroying the entire interior of the restaurant. Its 
patrons, faced with losing one of their favorite community gathering 
spots, called upon the restaurant to rebuild as soon as possible. In a 
miraculous feat, the cafe reopened in June of 1994, bigger and better 
than ever. Such a quick renovation is testament to the commitment and 
hard work of Alfreda and Tony Calucci, as well as the importance of the 
restaurant's role within the Hazleton community. Today, Rostas Cafe 
remains a Hazleton staple, and Melissa Calucci has joined her parents 
in adding to the restaurant's success and character.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Rostas Cafe as it 
celebrates its 65th anniversary. I am incredibly grateful for this 
community landmark that continues to bring generations of the Hazleton 
community closer together, and I look forward to the cafe's success 
over the years to come.

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