A popular Italian restaurant in Davenport has reopened after an extensive remodeling project.
Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, located at 5195 Utica Ridge Road, reopened after being closed most of March for remodeling.
“We wanted to keep things fresh for our customers. … It’s now brighter and more inviting,” Amy Goddard, director of marketing at Biaggi’s corporate office in Bloomington, Illinois, told the QCBJ on Thursday, April 18.
She added that the extensive modeling was done because it was time to update many of the elements to the restaurant that first opened in May 2000 in the Quad Cities.
“After almost 25 years, it’s time to take a deep dive and get brighter elements” inside the restaurant, Ms. Goddard said.
Judging from customer comments, many people like the new, fresh look of Biaggi’s in Davenport. She added in online comments its patrons have been praising the brighter look and bigger booths in the bar area.
The remodeling project consisted of new flooring, lighting, an updated bar area, art and decor and much more. The business was closed March 3-29, and reopened at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 30, according to Biaggi’s Facebook page.
That remodeling cost was listed at $181,259 and was completed by Estes Construction of Davenport, according to commercial building permits. Ms. Goddard said she did not know the final cost of the project, but did say it was a “significant investment” for the company.
“This was a good investment for our customers,” she added.
Biaggi’s is a casual Italian restaurant offering an extensive selection of house-made and imported pastas, soups, salads, pizza, seafood, steaks and desserts.
The history of Biaggi’s is rooted in a graduate school business plan of Todd Hovenden while enrolled at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management MBA program. That plan came to life in 1998 when Mr. Hovenden pursued a simple mission: to serve authentic, freshly prepared Italian cuisine in a warm and friendly environment with outstanding service and affordable prices.
Biaggi’s opened its first location in Bloomington on March 8, 1999, with construction of the second location in Champaign, Illinois, underway on the same day.
Biaggi’s continues to operate as a privately held company and has expanded considerably since 1999 – now operating 16 locations in eight states nationwide.
