A LA CARTE
A LA CARTE
Russo’s
Story by Robin Seaton Jefferson Photo by Michael Schlueter
Russo’s has managed the Xavier Ballroom at St. Louis University since 1995.
t all started in a little coffee shop some five decades ago. Matthew Russo opened Meramec Cafeteria in Clayton with three employees. Today his sons— John, Mark, Tom and Mike operate Russo’s Gourmet Catering from four locations in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Some 40 chefs, salespeople and servers work for Russo’s.
Russo’s most recent business expansion includes their newest banquet facility, “Russo’s Spazio at Westport Plaza”, which opened in the fall of 2001. Located at 12031 Lackland Rd. in Maryland Heights, Spazio is opened for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. Spazio means “space” in Italian. And with a ballroom and garden room, as well as a bistro, Spazio has a lot of it
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After managing the coffee shop in Clayton for years, Matthew Russo started Meramec Catering Company in 1961. Though Matthew Russo passed away in 1979, his wife, Frances, and son John, took over the operation. Eventually all of the Russo children came into the business that would come to be known as Russo’s Gourmet Catering. By 1985 the company had relocated its headquarters to the Creve Coeur Country Club and added a full-service kitchen and banquet room. In 1989, Russo’s took over the catering management of the Graphic Communications International Banquet and Conference Center in Maryland Heights. Later that year, Meramec Catering Company’s name was changed to Russo’s Gourmet Catering Company. Mark Russo said he and his four siblings— three brothers and one sister—weren’t slated for the family business. “The history is that as kids we all worked the parties,” Mark said. “We never thought we would go into it. We all said there’s no way. But it just gets in your blood. We all grew to love the business and it’s provided for us all.” The company’s headquarters as well as its central commissary was moved to 9904 Page Ave. in 1991. A full in-house bakery is also located at the headquarters where all of Russo’s bread, pastries, wedding cakes and desserts are made. “We supply ourselves,” Mark said.
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The Russo’s matriarch, Frances Russo, still holds to her husband’s “old school” style of business, Mark Russo said. At 83 years old,
Frances still plans weddings at Spazio. “Dad was from the old school,” mark said. “He provided for his family, he always believed in growth.” Both Matthew and Frances Russo were born of Sicilian parents who came to America to find a better life. Frances’ maiden name was Messina. The Russos had five children. Today, Frances has 13 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. For more information on Russo’s visit www.russosgourmet.com or call 314-4276771. ■