Gersi Memaga and his wife Susannah Proctor own Gersi. (BizSense file photos)
The operators of an Italian eatery are going for seconds in the Fan.
Gersi Memaga and Susannah Proctor, owners of Gersi at 805 N. Davis Ave., have leased the former Secco Wine Bar space at 325 N. Robinson St.
The new restaurant will be the couple’s second in Richmond and third overall. In 2016 they opened their eponymous restaurant in Brooklyn, then three years later brought it to Richmond in a space that had formerly been home to Betty on Davis and Swan Dive.
With their latest expansion they’ll take over the 3,500-square-foot space at the corner of Robinson Street and Stuart Avenue that came available after Secco closed this spring.
The former Secco Wine Bar at 325 N. Robinson St.
The building’s owner, Charlie Diradour, confirmed the deal, which was first reported by Axios Richmond.
“There were over a dozen operators that looked at this location. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make over the course of my business career,” Diradour said. “In the end it came down to my comfort level with them and the success that they’ve had on Davis.”
Attempts to reach Memaga and Proctor were unsuccessful by press time.
One clue as to the focus of the new restaurant was included in a certificate of occupancy filed with the city for the space earlier this week by Memaga. The documents list the business name as “Uliveto,” which translates to “olive grove” in Italian.
Diradour said the space is pretty much turnkey, and that he anticipates Memaga and Proctor’s new concept will open this fall.
Gersi Memaga and his wife Susannah Proctor own Gersi. (BizSense file photos)
The operators of an Italian eatery are going for seconds in the Fan.
Gersi Memaga and Susannah Proctor, owners of Gersi at 805 N. Davis Ave., have leased the former Secco Wine Bar space at 325 N. Robinson St.
The new restaurant will be the couple’s second in Richmond and third overall. In 2016 they opened their eponymous restaurant in Brooklyn, then three years later brought it to Richmond in a space that had formerly been home to Betty on Davis and Swan Dive.
With their latest expansion they’ll take over the 3,500-square-foot space at the corner of Robinson Street and Stuart Avenue that came available after Secco closed this spring.
The former Secco Wine Bar at 325 N. Robinson St.
The building’s owner, Charlie Diradour, confirmed the deal, which was first reported by Axios Richmond.
“There were over a dozen operators that looked at this location. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make over the course of my business career,” Diradour said. “In the end it came down to my comfort level with them and the success that they’ve had on Davis.”
Attempts to reach Memaga and Proctor were unsuccessful by press time.
One clue as to the focus of the new restaurant was included in a certificate of occupancy filed with the city for the space earlier this week by Memaga. The documents list the business name as “Uliveto,” which translates to “olive grove” in Italian.
Diradour said the space is pretty much turnkey, and that he anticipates Memaga and Proctor’s new concept will open this fall.
Very excited to see this coming to the fan. I read “turnkey”. Let’s please insure that the venue is accessible to all patrons!! #LivabilityRVA.
Bill Sweeney, CEO
BoundaryLess Living
blliving.com
As we undertook the renovation in 2016, The ADA was strictly adhered to.
C
So happy to see this. Gersi is fantastic but the space is limited.