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Longtime Closter Plaza Restaurant Prepares For Return 'Home'

CLOSTER, N.J. — No business has stood in Closter Plaza longer than Rudy's Restaurant & Pizzeria.

Charlie Osso has owned "Rudy's" for 40 years.

Charlie Osso has owned "Rudy's" for 40 years.

Photo Credit: Matt Speiser
The temporary location of Rudy's in Closter Plaza.

The temporary location of Rudy's in Closter Plaza.

Photo Credit: Matt Speiser
Closter Plaza

Closter Plaza

Photo Credit: Matt Speiser
Closter Plaza

Closter Plaza

Photo Credit: Matt Speiser

The store that first opened its doors in 1960 will be reinstalled in its original location after a two-year temporary stint in a spot across the street during reconstruction (SEE: Closter Mayor Anticipates 'First Class' Shopping From New Plaza).

Rudy's owner Charlie Osso, 71, is looking forward to returning home.

"I'm excited about the new shopping center," said Osso, who bought Rudy's with his brother Fred in 1970. "Sure, there will be a lot of competition from the new food stores and restaurants, but there will also be a lot more traffic."

Rudy's will share retail space with a Whole Foods, Bareburger and Distrito, to name a few.

The wait will be well-worth it for Osso, whose new space will be 400 square feet larger than the original, and feature 130 seats and a bar and brand new equipment.

Other than that, not much is changing, he said.

"While many other businesses have come and gone, Rudy's has been able to survive in Closter Plaza all these years because we use quality ingredients, we don't cut corners, and we treat you like family," Osso said. "We plan to continue that tradition in the new shopping center."

Osso believes Rudy's rich history will bring success to the new shopping center.

"People have been coming to us for 45 years and I think that says a lot," Osso said. "We look forward to continuing to serve them, along with our new customers, when we reopen."

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