Luigi’s Italian Restaurant serves community during winter storm

DENISON, Texas (KXII) – Luigi’s Italian Restaurant remained open throughout the winter storm.

“The three days we’ve been walking, I mean, we don’t live that far. We live close by,” Ciku said.

Ciku also prioritized employee safety during the storm, understanding when staff members could not make it to work due to hazardous conditions.

“I mean, you got to understand the employees too because it’s not all about business. It’s about them too,” Ciku said.

For three days, Tuesday through Thursday, Luigi’s served free meals to first responders working around the clock during the winter storm.

“They work hard to keep this community safe and we want to appreciate them for doing that for our community,” Ciku said.

Understanding that families have been confined to their homes due to dangerous road conditions, Ciku offered another way to give back to the community. From Friday through Sunday, children eat free at Luigi’s.

“We want to help them out, so make it easy for them, put a smile on their face, in the kids’ face,” Ciku said.

For Ciku, the gesture reflects the community’s support for the restaurant.

“It means a lot to us because the community supported us for almost four years,” Ciku said.

Ciku said his approach to giving back is rooted in his personal beliefs.

“If you give, God will give you more I believe in that,” Ciku said.

The restaurant owner said seeing customers enjoy their meals brings him satisfaction.

“Makes you happy when they see their smiles, when you see them smiling and enjoying your food,” Ciku said.