The Kaminski’s have owned LaSalle Market and Deli since March of 2007 but with the purchase of the building that houses the restaurant and more, the family has a renewed commitment to the business and Collinsville.
“We do believe it is the right move for ourselves and the town and maybe our family’s future,” said owner Eileen O'Connor-Kaminski.
O'Connor-Kaminski refers to son Ian and daughter Jessie, who are critical parts of the business and fixtures behind the register and food counter respectively.
Under the name Rugen Real Estate, LLC – named after a family Rottweiler that passed away — O'Connor-Kaminski and her husband Scott A. Kaminski recently purchased the 100-106 Main St. building from Rainey Realty, LLC for $840,000.
O'Connor-Kaminski said they were able to purchase it with the help of a Small Business Administration loan, which they have worked on for the past year or so.
“It was really great,” Eileen said. “Without it we would not have been able to do it without that.”
The purchase makes them landlords of two apartments upstairs as well as downstairs businesses. Currently Scott Kaminski and others are working on renovating 100B Main St., a lower-level, 900-square foot commercial space next to Downright Music and Art that has been vacant for about a year. Details are still being worked out but O'Connor-Kaminski said it a commercial lease for the building will be about $900 per month.
They hope to have it renovated and available for Nov. 1. If interested in more information call 860-806-4676.
O'Connor-Kaminski said as money allows, they also hope to make building improvements, such as a new coat of paint, proper air conditioning, new awnings and converting from oil to gas.
“We’ll figure that out as the time comes,” she said.
LaSalle Market, which employs approximately 20 people, has become a fixture in town.
Kaminski said she so appreciates the community’s support, She said they’ve also worked hard to welcome people with good service and conversation.
"The community has been great to us,” she said. “They see we're honest, hard-working people.”
