As someone who has a vested interest in Oak Park Mall’s success, Shan Kehret hopes her new restaurant is part of a trend.

Shan and her husband Dayton own Ruby’s Place, a family-style restaurant that officially opened at 11 a.m. today in Oak Park Mall. Shan, who is also the mall’s marketing director, said business is turning around.

“Once you get new businesses in here, people are curious and they come back to the mall,” Shan said. “Having this restaurant, I’m hoping that will get everyone to remember we’re still out here.”

Ruby’s Place is one of five businesses to open in the mall in about a year, and while Shan said there are still about 20 vacant store fronts, the mall is doing better than it had been. Two Bears Trading Post, Weight Watchers and Acclaim Studio of Dance are all recent additions, and on May 1, Better Than New Consignment will also relocate to Oak Park.

But the one thing missing, Shan said, was a restaurant.

“Being at the mall and coordinating events coming in, I thought there had to be a restaurant out here to accommodate events we bring in,” Shan said. “There needs to be a restaurant in Austin that has something just a little bit different.”

Dayton says Ruby’s Place specializes in USDA burgers and steaks, which are a “mouthful,” different daily specials, and a signature homemade knot bread. It is truly a family restaurant, as there daughter Katelyn, 20, is the manager, there son Nathan, 16, is a prep cook, and their 11-year-old Colton helps with the dishes. Ruby’s Place has 18 employees, and Shan says she enjoys working with all of them.

“We have a wonderful wait staff and cooks,” she said. “It’s a family-owned restaurant, and when you work here, you become part of the family.”

Ruby’s Place is open Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.