Group Opens Russo’s

You might recall that South Central Restaurants Inc. of Perryville planned to open a restaurant, Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen, in Conway last fall.

Well, it took longer than expected, but the Conway eatery finally opened last week in the remodeled Village Inn building at 2490 Sanders Road.

The franchise owners, Ben Allen Jr. of Little Rock, Buddy Metcalf of Perryville and Jay DeHaven of Little Rock, are eyeing Little Rock and Jacksonville for two more Russo’s locations. And the ownership group hopes to have them open within the next two years.

The Conway restaurant seats 205. General Manager Ben Allen III described the concept as “casual, upscale dining.”