Italian restaurant set for July 1 opening in village

PROCTORVILLE — A new restaurant is opening on July 1 in Proctorville, and the owners say they hope to offer something unique to the village.

Jim and Kathy Lundy said Katimali’s, a new pizza and sandwich shop to be located at 97 State St., next to Speedway, will have the unique feature of having all items prepared in a wood-fired stove.

“Everything will be baked,” Jim said. “There will be no fried foods whatsoever.”

The Lundys, who live in the village, currently own and operate Specialty Systems Electric and have worked there for 35 years. In preparation for the opening, they have completely gutted and renovated the building, which previously housed a Mexican restaurant.

“We’ve been working on it for about two months,” Jim said. “It’s a total clean-up and facelift.”

He said the restaurant’s oven was purchased in pieces and he assembled it himself, adding the decorative stone outer finish.

They said they will sell wood-fired pizzas, with standard and specialty pies available, as well as sandwiches and salads, with all dressings being homemade. For desserts, they will offer bellatorte, a baked apple calzone.

“We wanted to bring something unique to the village, other than traditional pizza,” Kathy said.

Jim said he hopes to offer something different as well.

“We want to have something a little more upscale than fast food,” he said, noting the lack of dining options available in the region.

The restaurant’s name is a combination of a few words.

“Take her name, mine, plus ‘Italian,’” Jim said.

They said they will have seating for 30 people inside and 32 on the outdoor patio, and hope to employ around 10 workers.

“We’re trying to bring something different to Proctorville,” Jim said. “We’re excited.”