GRETNA, La. (WVUE) – Christian Reyes recently worked at the Italian restaurant Venezia New Orleans on North Carrolton Avenue.

On Thursday (August 15), Reyes realized he was in the midst of a fresh start as he set tables at the new location in Gretna.

The popular restaurant, known for its Creole Italian cuisine, opened here nearly a week ago, replacing the legendary Tony Mandina’s, a shop that has served Italian food here for over 40 years.

“It’s just a great feeling to be part of the Gretna family,” Reyes said. “We haven’t kept any of Tony Mandina’s dishes, but we have very similar ones. We serve everything from red sauce to steaks to pizza.”

This location at 1915 Pratt Street seats 100 guests.

Reyes said it was a great place to relax.

“That’s what we’re all about: making sure everyone feels comfortable,” he said.

Simon Beck said he is ready to open the Brown Butter Depot on Huey P. Long Avenue.

Beck said he looks forward to opening downtown Gretna after moving from downtown.

“We offer a really great service and a really excellent product. It will fit well in this region,” said Beck.

Gretna Mayor Belinda Constant says the town has grown tremendously over the past 12 years and these new businesses will have a huge economic impact.

“This speaks volumes about Jefferson Parish,” Constant said. “We are becoming a social hub of the West Bank; our sales tax is generated by all of these opportunities.”

The City of Gretna also announced that it plans to open a brewery in Port Orleans in 2025.

Constant said this community project would take shape in an open parking lot across from Gretna City Hall.

She also said it would give people from surrounding towns a reason to travel to Gretna.

“We’ve made it a place again where you can come and just enjoy an evening, a meal, a restaurant or a drink,” she said.

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