DelawareOnline.com is reporting that long-running Newark restaurant Klondike Kates has been sold to the owners of La Casa Pasta, south of the city.
The Martuscelli family told the newspaper/website they plan to make no changes at the restaurant that has maintained its no-frills, weathered college town feel over the years with a combination of low prices, a large menu and a busy outdoor dining area.
Like the Deer Park tavern on the other end of Main Street, Kate’s is fondly remembered by University of Delaware alumni and others who spent time in the city.
According the restaurant’s website, the building housing Kate’s was constructed in 1880 and housed a couple of jail cells that were used to lock up rowdy and drunk citizens.
In 1900, Leonard “Pop” Lovett purchased the building. He opened a pool hall, courtroom, and barbershop on the first floor, a skating rink on the second floor, and Newark’s second movie theater on the third floor. The barber shop remains.
The building had many uses over the years that included a gas station with pumps in the front.
In 1979 the building was converted into a saloon and named Klondike Kate’s. Owner and well-known golfer Davis Sezna went on to assemble a regional country club and restaurant group following the success of Kate’s.
A remodeling of Kate’s took place in the 1990s, after a fire.
In 2005, businessmen and staffing company pioneer Alan Burkhard, as well as other businessmen purchased Klondike Kate’s.
The Martuscelli family has owned La Casa Pasta for nearly four decades. La Casa rivals the Glass Kitchen for being in operation for the longest period of time in the Bear-Glasgow area.
The family may have seen its greatest success with the Chesapeake Inn in Chesapeake City, MD.
The restaurant in the historic canal town now caters to boaters, diners and has a thriving banquet and wedding business.
