by Colin McEwen
Record-Courier Reporter
Ravenna -- After five years of serving fine cuisine, Bob Niemocienski and Hap Swartzlander, the owners of First Chop restaurant on Route 14 are closing the doors.
Citing lease issues that "could not be resolved" with the attached Windmill Lakes Golf Club, the restaurant will serve its last meals April 2.
Niemocienski said he hopes to re-open elsewhere in the coming months, looking in Aurora, Streetsboro, Kent and Stow for a new location.
"It's been a great experience," he said. "For first time restaurant owners, we couldn't have asked for anything better."
Niemocienski and Swartzlander took over Cipriano's in April 2003 when John and Cleon Cipriano retired, and changed the name to Hap and Niemo's First Chop less than two years later.
The new restaurateurs kept some of Cipriano's Italian food, but re-focused their efforts toward steaks and seafood as well, while maintaining the restaurant's elegant dining atmosphere.
The business nearly closed in the spring of 2006 during the golf course's unsuccessful sale to a developer.
Herb Page, owner of Windmill Lakes Golf Club, was unavailable for comment, but Niemocienski said he believes the golf course's snack shop will continue to stay open to golfers during the summer.
"There were issues that could not be resolved," he said. "It's just best to move out."
A STAPLE at First Chop are many of the restaurant's regular customers. Dan Hluch's favorite meal is Seafood Cremoso, a classic dish he has enjoyed for 28 years.
"We have to reference the friendly Cheers-like atmosphere," he said. "This is a place for businessmen to come and has been an asset to the community."
Hluch said he will miss the service the most, noting it as "always above par."
The restaurant employs 32 people, many of whom have worked there for more than five years.
"We've had a great time here -- a wonderful experience," said Niemocienski. "We're like a family."
Chefs B.J. Cipriano, son of John and Cleon Cipriano, and Rick Young began their cooking careers with the restaurant in 1980.
Young said the view out the back door to the restaurant overlooking the course has provided him comfort for nearly three decades.
He is optimistic the restaurant will re-open, but said he is unsure if he can financially withstand being out of work until it does.
"I just can't believe that we're going to be done," he said. "I'm really going to miss the regular customers. The customers have become my close friends."
Niemocienski said in the final weeks, he hopes customers drop in to say goodbye and wait patiently for the restaurant to re-open elsewhere.
"Don't forget about First Chop," he said. "We'll be back."
E-mail: cmcewen@recordpub.com Telephone: 330-296-9657