New owners to re-open Austin landmark

First it was Tolly’s, and now it’s Jerry’s.

A couple from Owotanna have purchased the restaurant known as Jerry’s Other Place, at 1207 N Main St., and will re-open it as Olivia’s Family Restaurant, possibly as soon as January.

Olivia and Logan Hughes finalized the deal Friday, and have already begun advertising for 25 to 30 positions. The Hughes, who own Olivia’s Family Restaurant in Owatonna, had been looking to branch out, and said Austin’s proximity and recent economic development were appealing.

“We actually have a lot of customers from Blooming Prairie and Austin, and they’ve been really excited with the news that we’re coming to Austin,” Olivia said.

This is the second landmark Austin restaurant to announce a re-opening in the past month. Brian Tollefson said in November that Tolly’s Time Out will re-open in February 2013. Tolly’s has been closed since April.

Olivia’s menu will offer a wide variety of family recipes, with everything from sandwiches, burgers and steaks, to Italian, pastas, and breakfast served all day. Olivia said it will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.

Jerry’s, which opened in 1980, had been closed since November 2011. The Hughes opened Olivia’s in Owatonna in April 2011, and Logan’s family is in the restaurant business in Wisconsin.

Former Jerry’s owner Jerry Kellogg said he’s glad to see his diner open again.

“The customers will be really happy with the new owners,” he said.

Anyone interested in working at Olivia’s can pick up an application at the AmericInn in Austin.