When Roman Village reached its 50th anniversary in 2014, DBusiness spoke with Anthony Rugiero about the restaurant’s history, the growth of the family business and the lessons learned across five decades.
The interview looks back at the establishment of Roman Village in Dearborn and the influence of founders Antonio and Enrica Rugiero. Their commitment to homemade food, generous hospitality and hard work provided the foundation for everything that followed.
As the Rugiero family expanded into additional Metro Detroit communities, it faced the challenge of growing without sacrificing quality or consistency. The family responded by remaining closely involved in restaurant operations and ensuring that each location continued to follow the recipes and standards associated with the original Roman Village.
The 50th-anniversary interview provides an important snapshot of the business at a significant point in its history. It shows how the family’s respect for its roots helped Roman Village remain relevant across generations while also creating opportunities for continued growth.
More than a decade after that milestone, the same principles continue to guide the Rugiero family restaurants.