By Andrew Harrington
PRESCOTT – Kevin Champlin, a graduate of Prescott’s Class of 1995, is returning home to open The Corner Italian, a restaurant setting up at 202 Broad St. If you have ever wanted to sip on wine and eat pizza or pasta just off the river, well this is the place for you.
Champlin has been in the restaurant and hospitality industry for 32 years, including owning an Eden Prairie restaurant, and is bringing the experience back to Prescott.
“My goal is a 95% scratch kitchen,” Champlin said. “That means everything is made in house. There’s a few things that I’m not going to make right away. Eventually, I would like to start making pasta in house, but that’s not going to be right away.”
The pizza dough, focaccia bread and meatballs will be made in house, some of the pasta will eventually be made in house with some sourced from Italy, fresh mozzarella may also eventually be made in house. Other ingredients will be locally sourced including a list of Wisconsin beers and shredded mozzarella from Burnett Dairy in Grantsburg. The restaurant will also feature Italian beers and wines.
A new oven, a new cooking range and a classic red and white tablecloth look are coming to the location. Champlin is looking to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, with good food and good service. The restaurant is expected to open in late January or early February.
“I’m trying to keep things as local as I can,” Champlin said. “Basically, I’m looking to revive the space and bring back table service to this part of Prescott in a fun, casual environment.”
The business was purchased from Papa Tronnio’s, a favorite pizza stop in the Prescott community.
“We are incredibly grateful for every single customer who walked through our doors, supported us over the past three years, and made us part of your family traditions. Your loyalty and kindness have meant more to us than you’ll ever know,” a Facebook post from Papa Tronnio’s reads. “We’re also happy to share that the new owner brings over 30 years of restaurant experience and a deep knowledge of the industry, and we’re confident the business will be in capable, experienced hands moving forward with a new name.”
Champlin said he has learned a lot from running a restaurant in Eden Prairie, and is ready to show that to the Prescott community. Having the opportunity to return to the place where it all started makes the new restaurant all the more special.
“For me it’s coming home. It’s where I know people. It’s where I grew up. I have friends and family here,” Champlin said. “This is home.”
To learn more, visit https://thecorneritalian.com/
Keywords
The Corner Italian,
Italian restaurant,
Kevin Champlin,
Prescott,
Wisconsin
Dining and Cooking