SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - A mixture of old and new will greet patrons of Valenti's II soon.
The business is expanding into the borough's former Stamps and More building, 109-111 E. Main St.
"Basically we need more room. Our kitchen is very small," said Lisa Valenti, 39, who owns the restaurant at 107 E. Main St. along with her husband, Joe, 47.
The restaurant sells stromboli, pizza, sandwiches, subs and other dinner fare.
Joe and Lisa bought the former Stamps and More building in November 2011.
"Originally we were thinking of moving to another location somewhere bigger, but it just so happened that she (the owner) was selling the building," Lisa said Thursday.
Purchase of the new building adds about 2,000 square feet to the existing site that is about 800 square feet.
Lisa said she wants to add a deck for outdoor dining, new seating for customers, a bar and other additions, including a new entrance at the expanded site. More parking will also be available.
"I would like to do some kind of comfy feel like maybe some couches or something like that," she said of furniture for a waiting area. She wants to "go a little bit more contemporary but still keep that Old World Italian feel."
Bringing in musicians on the weekends is also a possibility, she said.
At the current site, paintings hang on the burgundy walls. Ten tables are available for customers. Most of that space will be part of an expanded kitchen, with seating in the newer parts of the restaurant.
More room means more work.
"I'll probably hire five or six more people," she said.
Those will be part-time positions. The restaurant currently employes 10 people, with the Valentis and a cook working full-time an the others working part-time.
When the restaurant expands, the hours will remain the same. They are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday.
Carl Berger, Schuylkill Haven's economic development director, is thankful the business continues to show its support to the borough.
"Schuylkill Haven is grateful of Valenti's commitment to the borough by continuing and realizing the need for additional dining in the growing downtown business district," he said. "With several businesses already committed to open their venues in 2012, it is certainly a sign of the upswing of revitalization within the community."