Commellini's, a long-time Italian-style restaurant here, will be reopened this summer as a reservations-only restaurant and events center, says Robert Seghetti, who will own the establishment with his wife, Lauri, and his parents.

Seghetti's family has owned the property, at 14715 N. Dartford Drive, since 1938 and ran the restaurant from 1941 through 1977, leasing it to other operators thereafter. The family decided to operate a business there again after the most recent business there, Francisco's at Commellini's, defaulted on its lease and moved out last May.

The Seghettis plan to open a private restaurant and events center, Commellini Estate & Event and Private Restaurant, there through a company named Commellini Estate Inc., Seghetti says. They hope to open the venture in July.

The Seghettis are preparing to remodel the interior of the 2,800-square-foot restaurant building, which can seat about 125 people. The remodeling work likely will cost around $150,000, and will include remodeling the kitchen and interior of the restaurant to make it more open, Robert Seghetti says.

The Seghettis also plan to remodel a small neighboring building to use for offices and additional private event space, he says. In addition, they want to develop an outdoor venue on the property for private events that could accommodate another 300 people.

The Seghettis, their daughter, Desiree, and Robert's parents, Gina and Mauro Seghetti, will operate the venture. They also plan to team up with Simply Gourmet LLC, of Spokane, to cater private events there. Lauri Seghetti says she's not sure yet how many people the business will employ.

The restaurant will be open by reservation only and will serve new dishes and the family's classic Italian dishes, such as chicken cacciatore, Seghetti says.

Robert Seghetti also is vice president of Acme Concrete Paving Inc., of Spokane. Lauri Seghetti owns a design company here called Lauri Seghetti Inc., but plans now to focus on Commellini's, she says.