The Old Spaghetti Factory in Louisville, Ky used to be a department store. It first opened in 1929 and served as the flagship store of the J. Marx & Sons chain. Unfortunately, the store and chain went bankrupt in 1959.
After the bankruptcy, James Thompson and his wife, Jane, purchased the building in 1972 and transformed it into The Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant. The restaurant quickly became a local favorite, and today it is a beloved part of Louisville’s dining scene.
The building itself is beautifully preserved and retains much of its original integrity, providing a unique and historic atmosphere for dining.
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When was the Old Spaghetti Factory built?
The Old Spaghetti Factory was first founded in Portland, Oregon back in 1969 by Guss Dussin. It was later incorporated as a limited partnership in 1970, when Dussin purchased the building that would eventually become the flagship location of the Old Spaghetti Factory.
The building, a former warehousing facility located in the historic Ironworks Building, was built in 1912 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Originally, the Ironworks building was designed to manufacture custom-made decorations, expensive furnishings and ornamental iron salvaged from the line of sternwheelers that used to run between Astoria and Portland.
In 1915, it also served as a steel fabrication shop for the US Navy during World War I. After the war, the building was used as a warehouse by its new owner, the Tekamah Iron Works. By 1962, new concrete docks had been built on the Willamette River and the Tekamah Iron Works had moved away.
It was then that Guss Dussin first purchased the facility with plans to transform it into the Old Spaghetti Factory.
Since its establishment, the Old Spaghetti Factory has grown to include more than fifty locations across the United States and Canada, with more venues planned in the coming years. It remains a beloved favorite in the Pacific Northwest, not just for its delicious Italian-American fare but also because of its charming atmosphere, which still gives paying guests a chance to step back in time to 1912 and visit the old Ironworks Building.
How many locations does the Old Spaghetti Factory have?
The Old Spaghetti Factory currently has 43 locations spread across 10 states in the United States, 4 provinces in Canada, and 1 location in Japan. Locations are currently in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
In Canada, you can find the Old Spaghetti Factory in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario. Lastly, for international fans, the Old Spaghetti Factory can also be found in one Tokyo, Japan location.
When did the Spaghetti Warehouse close?
The Spaghetti Warehouse restaurant chain abruptly closed its doors on March 22, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The family-owned chain had been in business for over 50 years and was popular for its Italian-American cuisine, which included spaghetti and lasagna, as well as other items such as pizza and sandwiches.
As a popular gathering spot for families, special occasions, and Sunday brunch, it was an unwelcome surprise for many when the business had to close due to the global pandemic. Despite efforts from the company, as well as its loyal customers, the restaurants closed for good.
How many old spaghetti factories are there in Canada?
At this time, it is difficult to determine exactly how many old spaghetti factories are located in Canada. The vast majority of Canadian spaghetti factories are located in the province of Ontario, with a handful in Quebec and a couple in Alberta.
Most of these factories have been in operation for decades, since the mid-20th century, when many companies began producing their own brand of spaghetti. The classic “Olde Spaghetti Factory” restaurant chain, which operated from 1975 to 1999, once had almost 40 locations across Canada.
Since the chain has since closed, the exact number of remaining old spaghetti factories currently operating in Canada is unknown. However, many of the existing old spaghetti factories in Canada are classic family-run establishments that have been open and running for generations.
What is spumoni ice cream?
Spumoni ice cream is an Italian-American frozen dessert that originated in the 19th century. It is a mix of several different flavors of ice cream combined to create a unique and delicious combination.
Typically, spumoni contains layers of chocolate, cherry, and pistachio flavored ice cream, with each layer containing candied fruits, chopped nuts, and cream-filled chocolate chips. Spumoni is typically served in decorative molds, so that each scoop features all of the flavors, nuts, and fruits in a beautiful presentation.
It can also be served as a cake-like dessert, with layers of ice cream, candied fruit and nuts, and sometimes a layer of chocolate or other syrups. Spumoni is often served with a side of whipped cream and/or cherries.
It is an indulgent and excitingly flavorful treat that is a favorite of many ice cream lovers.
Where is Millionaire Row St. Louis?
Millionaire Row St. Louis is located on St. Louis Avenue between Fourth and Twenty-Second Streets in the city’s historic midtown area. It is a historic district of turn-of-the-century homes, many of them in the Queen Anne, Georgian Revival, and Dutch Colonial Revival styles.
Many of the houses that were once the homes of St. Louis’ most affluent citizens still retain their original grandeur, although there are also scattered pockets of homes that have been modernized. It is a favorite destination for St.
Louisans who wish to take a stroll through architectural history. This area is also a popular destination for film crews, as some of the exteriors of the buildings have been used in numerous films.
Why are there so many abandoned buildings in St. Louis?
There are a variety of factors that have led to the prevalence of abandoned buildings in St. Louis. Firstly, the city has experienced a decline in population in recent years, which has led to many businesses and industries leaving the city due to not being able to generate enough revenue.
As a result, a large number of buildings have been left vacant and are unable to be reused.
The recession of 2008 had an especially devastating effect on St. Louis, with many businesses laying off employees and struggling to make a profit. This led to a decrease in local tax revenue and a reduced budget for upkeep and maintenance of buildings, causing more and more to become abandoned.
Additional economic factors have led to the abandonment of many buildings in St. Louis. With the cost of labor and materials increasing, it has become increasingly expensive for businesses to maintain and upgrade their buildings.
This has led to many businesses opting for demolition instead of renovation and has left a large number of vacant buildings in St. Louis.
Unfortunately, the result of all these factors has led to a significant number of abandoned buildings in St. Louis. With a decreased population, businesses leaving, and rising costs, it is becoming increasingly difficult to put these buildings back into use.
However, many local organizations are working to bring new life to St. Louis and its abandoned buildings, with innovative uses such as adaptive reuse.
What happened to the Spaghetti Warehouse in Philadelphia?
The Spaghetti Warehouse in Philadelphia, which was originally located in an old brick building near the Reading Terminal Market in Old City Philadelphia, closed in 2020 after serving the community for nearly 30 years.
The closure ended a long history of Italian-American family dining in the city.
The restaurant had been a popular spot for families, tourists, and locals alike for many years before finally deciding to close its doors. It was known for its “family style” Italian dining, which included pasta, meatballs, and mozzarella.
However, the exact reason for its closing is not known, although many speculate that the rising cost of rent, labor, and other expenses may have contributed to their decision.
The Spaghetti Warehouse was replaced by another restaurant, called the Bar at Reading Terminal Market. The new restaurant, which opened in 2021, is a craft beer and whiskey bar, a welcome addition to the food scene in Old City Philadelphia.
The closure of the Spaghetti Warehouse was bittersweet for many people, as it represented the end of an era.
FAQs
What did the old spaghetti factory use to be in Louisville Ky? ›
The Old Spaghetti Factory in Louisville is located in the history Levy Building which opened in 1893 as a clothing store.
Where was the first old spaghetti factory opened? › When did the old spaghetti factory first open? › What did Spaghetti Warehouse used to be in Columbus Ohio? ›Opened in 1975, and built in 1902, it used to be a grocery warehouse, and during prohibition, was a brothel.
Where was the first industrial pasta factory in the US built? ›The first industrial pasta factory in America was built in Brooklyn in 1848 by a Frenchman who spread his spaghetti strands on the roof to dry in the sunshine. Pasta production expanded in the 19th century and pasta makers popped up across the country.
How many spaghetti factories are there in the US? ›The Old Spaghetti Factory has 34 locations in the United States.
What is the world's oldest spaghetti? ›Urban myth has never been able to decide whether the Italians, the Arabs, or the Chinese invented pasta. Ancient Chinese wisdom says Marco Polo brought pasta to Italy after his travels to Asia. These 4,000 year-old Neolithic noodles, the oldest ever found, suggest that wisdom was right.
Where was the first pasta factory in the world? ›The industrial revolution that took over the entire world at the time led to opening the first pasta factory in Genoa in 1824.
What city invented spaghetti? ›Some historians think that Arabs introduced pasta to Europe during a conquest of Sicily. In the West, it may have first been worked into long, thin forms in Sicily around the 12th century, as the Tabula Rogeriana of Muhammad al-Idrisi attested, reporting some traditions about the Sicilian kingdom.
What is the oldest pasta company? ›was a privately owned pasta company with plants in Fair Lawn, New Jersey and Lee's Summit, Missouri. The company was founded by Antoine Zerega in Brooklyn, New York in 1848 making it the first pasta company in the United States.
Was the spaghetti factory destroyed? ›
The Christmas Day Bombing destroyed the Old Spaghetti Factory, but the owners and company vowed to put the money in to restore it.
How many old spaghetti factories are there in the world? ›History. The Old Spaghetti Factory Canada is a 100 percent Canadian-owned and operated national chain of 15 restaurants.
Why did Spaghetti Warehouse close? ›Spaghetti Warehouse has closed its San Antonio location. The San Antonio spaghetti staple, which opened in 1978, is closing for good due to the coronavirus pandemic.
What company owns the old spaghetti factory? › How long has Spaghetti Warehouse been around? ›Celebrating Life with You Since 1989
The Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurant was opened in Syracuse in 1989.
Alessandro Spadini, Plant Director, Barilla headquarters and production facility in Parma, Italy – the world's largest pasta production facility.
What makes pasta black? ›Aromatic squid ink is used to color this classic fresh egg pasta and give it a silky black hue. But while it may smell strong, the resulting noodles are relatively neutral in flavor.
Where is the birthplace of pasta? ›Archaeologists believe that central Asia is most likely the first area to have produced noodles thousands of years ago. From Asia, it traveled westward. The way it reached Europe is unclear, though there are many theories—some believe that nomadic Arabs are responsible for bringing early forms of pasta westward.
Which state eats the most spaghetti? ›So, it's really no surprise New York leads the nation in pasta lovers per capita. They have some of the most famous Italian restaurants in the world.
What country eats the most spaghetti? ›In 2022, pasta consumption per capita varied significantly across countries. Italy topped the list, with its citizens consuming an average of 23 kilograms of pasta annually. Tunisia ranked second with a per capita consumption of 17 kilograms.
Where is spaghetti eaten most? ›
But that's nothing compared to the European home of pasta, Italy, 81 percent of which regularly have pasta on their daily menu. The food staple is almost equally as popular in France, where 78 percent of respondents count it as a regular fixture on their shopping list.
How old spaghetti can you eat? ›Most cooked pasta only lasts in the fridge for between 3–5 days before it starts to show signs of expiration. Eating expired pasta comes with risks similar to those associated with eating other expired foods, such as foodborne illness.
What kind of meat is in SpaghettiOs? ›WATER, TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), MEATBALLS MADE WITH PORK, CHICKEN AND BEEF (PORK, CHICKEN, MECHANICALLY SEPARATED CHICKEN, WATER, BEEF, BREAD CRUMBS [ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), DEXTROSE, SALT, YEAST, SOYBEAN OIL], SOY PROTEIN ...
What do Italians call pasta? ›Macaroni (/ˌmækəˈroʊni/, Italian: Maccheroni) is dry pasta shaped like narrow tubes. Made with durum wheat, macaroni is commonly cut in short lengths; curved macaroni may be referred to as elbow macaroni. ...
Which pasta contains egg? ›Fresh pasta is made from a simple dough of eggs and flour, usually all-purpose flour or “00” high-gluten flour. The dough is kneaded like bread dough and then pressed through rollers until it's as thin as desired. Then it's cut into long noodles or formed and stuffed into tortellini and ravioli.
Do Italians eat dried pasta? ›As a category in Italian cuisine, both fresh and dried pastas are classically used in one of three kinds of prepared dishes: as pasta asciutta (or pastasciutta), cooked pasta is plated and served with a complementary sauce or condiment; a second classification of pasta dishes is pasta in brodo, in which the pasta is ...
Who brought pasta back from China? ›Noodles existed in China and Asia long before pasta appeared in the Mediterranean world, and the legend goes that Marco Polo brought pasta to Italy from China in the 13th century.
What country invented pizza? ›Pizza dates back thousands of years, believe it or not, tracing its roots back to the flatbreads with toppings that were popular with ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. But modern pizza, the flatbreads with tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings, was born along the western coast of Italy, in the city of Naples.
What was the first pasta dish? ›In Italy, a pasta-like dough called ''lagana'' appeared during the 4th century BCE. While most pasta noodles today are boiled, the lagana noodles were baked. Between the 13th and 15th centuries, spaghetti was first produced in Italy, along with a variety of pasta shapes including macaroni, vermicelli, and gnocchi.
Who made pizza first? ›Many people credit baker Raffaele Esposito from the Naples region of Italy for first creating the dish. Others believe that the history of pizza dates far further back than Esposito's era of the late 1800s. Much of the debate comes down to what you consider a "real pizza" and the evolution of food over the centuries.
What is the biggest selling pasta? ›
Spaghetti is the most popular of all the pasta types. It is the favorite of many, especially kids.
What is the most famous pasta brand in the world? ›- Rao's.
- De Cecco.
- Barilla.
- La Molisana.
- Montebello.
Barilla's claim to make "Italy's #1 Brand of Pasta" is false advertising, lawsuit alleges. A lawsuit alleging that Barilla misleads customers into believing its pasta is made in Italy can move forward starting next month, a federal judge ruled this week.
What bars were destroyed in Nashville? ›Beer Seller, Buffalo's Nashville, Coyote Ugly, Dick's Last Resort Nashville, Doc Holliday's Saloon, Downtown Nashville Wine and Spirits, Hooters, Lonnie's Western Room, Mattheessens, Old Spaghetti Factory, and Wildhorse Saloon.
Did Spaghetti Warehouse close down? ›Last spring, the popular Franklinton eatery Spaghetti Warehouse endured a partial collapse of its roof, and the eatery has been closed ever since.
Why did Spaghetti Warehouse close Houston? ›Spaghetti Warehouse closed its Houston location after the structure flooded during Hurricane Harvey. The restaurant had water up to the first floor.
Who invented spaghetti China or Italy? ›While some historians believe pasta originated in Italy, most are convinced Marco Polo actually brought it back from his epic voyage to China. The earliest known pasta was made from rice flour and was common in the east.
Who made spaghetti popular? ›The popularity of pasta products in the U.S. started between early and mid-20th century, with the mass influx in arrivals of Italian and Sicilian immigrants cooking favorite meals from their homeland, as well as U.S. soldiers returning home with tales of interesting European meals.
How long has the old spaghetti factory been in St Louis? ›Founded in 1969 by Guss and Sally Dussin, we're still family owned and operated. We invite your family to join ours for a memorable dining experience.
Who bought Franco American spaghetti? ›The acquisition of the Franco-American Food Company by Campbell in 1915, brought in a variety of new soups and pasta products to our company.
Why did Spaghetti Warehouse close in Dallas? ›
“It was outdated, needed improvements and doesn't really work with the direction the neighborhood is organically going," she said. "It survived because nothing else was there.” In early 2020, construction is expected to start on a park near the Spaghetti Warehouse building.
Who owns the restaurant Mom's Spaghetti? ›“It's not the kind of pasta you'd expect if your grandma came from Italy on a boat…it's more like the spaghetti you'd know if your mom came from Michigan on a bus,” said Mom's Spaghetti co-owner Curt Catallo about the menu.
Is Spaghetti Warehouse a franchise? ›Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc., owns, operates, and franchises full-service, family-style Italian restaurants.
When did Spaghetti Factory in Atlanta close? ›The Old Spaghetti Factory at 249 Ponce de Leon Ave. will close on Sunday, Jan. 24 after more than two decades in business.
Where was the first Old Spaghetti Factory opened? › What replaced Spaghetti Warehouse Houston? ›Share All sharing options for: Spaghetti Warehouse Returns to Houston With a New Name and Location. A year after Spaghetti Warehouse's Downtown location succumbed to damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, its owners are launching a new spin-off restaurant called Warehouse 72.
How many Old Spaghetti Factory locations are there? ›The Old Spaghetti Factory currently has 42 locations nationwide, serving more than 8 million customers annually. It started as a simple restaurant concept driven by a value philosophy, and today it continues to be a labor of love.
Where is the old spaghetti factory headquarters? › What was the Spaghetti Warehouse before Syracuse NY? ›Our historic warehouse building once housed the Amphion Company. Later, the building housed Julius Resnick, Inc. a manufacturer of fashionable handbags with unique craftsmanship, artistry, and sophistication.
Is Spaghetti Factory coming back to Nashville? ›The Old Spaghetti Factory, a fixture of downtown Nashville for 40 years, will not reopen its Second Avenue location following the Christmas Day bombing. Its landlord, LOFTS 160 Nashville LLC, has terminated its lease, The Old Spaghetti Factory President Dean Griffith said in a public statement Thursday.
Who is the CEO of the Old Spaghetti Factory? ›
Chris Dussin Old Spaghetti Factory CEO Rating
Chris Dussin the CEO of Old Spaghetti Factory received an average score of 61 from Old Spaghetti Factory employees.
Barilla Pasta produces many types of pasta and is the biggest pasta producer in the world (40-45% of the Italian market and 25% of the US market). Barilla produces many types of pasta in several sizes.
Was spaghetti made in China? ›While we do think of pasta as a culturally Italian food, it is likely the descendent of ancient Asian noodles. A common belief about pasta is that it was brought to Italy from China by Marco Polo during the 13th century.
How old is spaghetti? ›In the West, it may have first been worked into long, thin forms in Sicily around the 12th century, as the Tabula Rogeriana of Muhammad al-Idrisi attested, reporting some traditions about the Sicilian kingdom.
Where was spaghetti invented China? ›Noodles existed in China and Asia long before pasta appeared in the Mediterranean world, and the legend goes that Marco Polo brought pasta to Italy from China in the 13th century. Apparently, there are passages in The Travels of Marco Polo (by Marco Polo, of course) that refer to “pasta-like dishes.”
When did Spaghetti Factory close Atlanta? ›The Old Spaghetti Factory at 249 Ponce de Leon Ave. will close on Sunday, Jan. 24 after more than two decades in business.
Why did Spaghetti Warehouse close in Tulsa? ›A company vice president said the Tulsa restaurant was the lowest performing store left in the chain. He said the soft economy and years of highway construction work around downtown were both factors in the decision.