By Stefan Snijiders, Contributor
Local business owners Nick and Jamie Saldi are looking forward to expand their business, particularly because this expansion will come in close proximity to their beloved alma mater.
The Saldi brothers, owners of Legends Patio Grill and Bar on 102nd Circle in Irvington, recently purchased a plot of land near Aksarben Village on 69th and Pacific, according to an article published by the Omaha World-Herald on April 2. The brothers intend to open a second bar and restaurant in this Aksarben location in 2016.
According to the World-Herald, the location of the new restaurant is the site of the former Caniglia’s Venice Inn, which closed in May of last year after being an Omaha staple for nearly 60 years. Nick Saldi said in a phone interview that he and his brother look forward to constructing the new location. The Saldi brothers will include a memo-rial wall to the Caniglia brothers in the design of the new location.
“Since the day we met Chuck and Jerry Caniglia, they’ve been nothing but fantastic to us and supportive of what we’re doing,” Saldi said.
Though a different style than Caniglia’s, Legends is a family-friendly restaurant that has a local neighborhood bar vibe, as described by Nick Saldi. Legends’ website states they offer a full menu for diners including variations on the typical restaurant-bar fare, but they also offer varieties like dinner-size salads and wraps.
Nick Saldi and his brother are both hockey fans who enjoyed seeing the Mavs charge through to the Frozen Four this year. He said he thinks the Mavs can build on this season and that with such a young but stand-out core of players returning next year, it shouldn’t be hard for them to be competitive again next year.
Saldi said the brothers look forward to catering to the experience of Aksarben, especially with the eventual opening of the athletic arena and the rise in popularity for the neighborhood as a destination for UNO students.
“The nice thing about UNO is that you’ve got a typical college where there is a demographic in the school even, all different types and ages of students so I feel that we’re just a good fit,” Saldi said.
