When Irene LoRe opened the restaurant Aunt Suzie’s almost three decades ago on Fifth Avenue, the street was not nearly as fashionable as it is today. The avenue has changed a lot in that period–more restaurants, more shops, and greater need for services among business owners. With a desire to address those needs for her neighbors and the community, LoRe — who moved to Park Slope in 1972 –helped establish the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District in 2009, and retains her position as the organization’s head.
On Jan. 1, 2012, she ended her successful run of Aunt Suzie’s, closing the doors one final time. Civic News caught up with her recently to discuss her long tenure on the avenue — what she will miss and what’s next for the intrepid LoRe.
Civic News: What originally drew you to opening a restaurant?
LoRe: A midlife crisis — plus I found myself out of a job. Like every Italian, I think I am a wonderful cook, so I thought that is what I should do, open a restaurant. The first was in Bensonhurst.
What was it called?
Aunt Suzie’s.
Who is Aunt Suzie?
My mother’s name was Asunta, which got Anglicized as Suzie.
Did your mother ever have a chance to see you open the restaurant?
No, she passed in 1981. I opened the restaurant in Bensonhurst in 1982.
How did you pick the location on Fifth Avenue?
I lived in Park Slope, and I knew it was a great neighborhood. Back then, Seventh Avenue was the main street. I knew people were afraid to come down to Fifth — and didn’t come down — but I also knew it had to happen.
I picked this spot on Fifth because it was Center Slope, and it was bigger than many other spaces because it had an extension.
I am sure there have been many, but what stands out as a highlight of your years on the avenue?
Well, when I opened, I had this vision in my mind to do an intimate place with pictures, sort of re-creating an old kitchen table. We always had big tables — to welcome families, everybody. I didn’t know it was going to work until I opened. And then I realized I nailed it. I created a business that honored family and community.
The neighborhood has changed a lot since you first opened. What has stayed the same?
Park Slope always seems to have a fantastic share of people who are interested in community life.
What has changed about owning a restaurant?
When I opened up, there were few to no restaurants on Fifth. Now every several blocks or so, there’s dozens.
Also, regulations have made it extremely difficult to operate a business in New York City. Our city is at the bottom nationally in terms of the ease of running a business. When you are running a microbusiness — a mom-and-pop or, in my case, mom-and-mom — we don’t have staff to help us take care of the problems, and the burden falls on us. It becomes monumental to deal with city agencies. It costs the owners a great deal of time, anxiety, and money.
What will you miss most about running a business?
I’ll miss the customers. I will also miss the hyperactivity of running a restaurant. In the restaurant world, there is only the present tense. We exist for the customer in the present tense. The past translates into being prepared. The future, getting repeat customers. But we need to get it all right in the here and now. It is a challenge.
What your advice to Park Slope’s next Irene LoRe?
Be prepared to work harder than you have ever worked in your life.
In addition to directing the Fifth Avenue BID, what’s next for you?
I don’t know. Check in again soon.
— Rebeccah Welch is a trustee of the Civic Council.
from the Winter 2012 Civic News