Longtime Neville Island Restaurant Closing Its Doors For Good

NEVILLE ISLAND (KDKA) -- A faded sign on Neville Island has welcomed hungry customers to Gino's Restaurant for 62 years. So has the friendly owner, Gino Iannamorelli.

Gino came from Italy at the age of 17, and he was all alone.

Seven years later he opened the restaurant, and has been feeding area residents ever since. He says things were really hopping when the shipyard was still going strong.

"Busy, busy, busy. We had 3,000 people across the street. Dravo Corporation," he said.

In later years, he cut back to lunch and breakfast only. But Gino's has remained a popular stop.

"We've got very loyal people," Gino says. "I know them all by name. I know their wife, I know everybody. There's the one that makes a spaghetti sandwich. Look at it. You ever see a spaghetti sandwich?"

Waitress Arlene Luich says she's been serving visitors for 36 years.

"I've seen them as little babies growing up, and now they're married, having babies, coming in here," she says.

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But that will be no longer. The 86-year-old owner is hanging up the spatula.

But for those who really miss the good times at Gino's, he says, "Come up my house. I'll get you coffee and toast."

Always the perfect host.