LONGMEADOW – Luigi’s, located at 809 Maple Road, recently opened a newly renovated dining area. The eatery features classic Italian dishes, pizza, and grinders among its offerings.

Jen Santos, owner of Luigi’s, told Reminder Publications she took over the business from the Iennaco family, which owned the location when it was known as “Primo’s 2 Go Restaurant.” The family operated restaurant for about five years.

“It was just a great opportunity to be in a restaurant in Longmeadow,” she explained. “The people were looking to retire that were there before.”

Santos said she’s owned businesses in the past, including a boutique.

She added she renovated the former hair salon next door to the restaurant to turn it into a dining area for customers.

“We only took over the part that was existing, which was take out and delivery and then we rented the space next door so we could have a dine in [area],” Santos said. “We redid the whole thing.”

A soft opening for the dining area took place at the beginning of December, Santos said.

“It didn’t affect our business next door because [the dining room] was never open,” she noted.

Some of the new menu selections at Luigi’s include veal and seafood dishes, she explained. The business also has liquor license, which it obtained from the Select Board on Dec. 5.

“Any of our parmesans are delicious and picattas,” Santos said. “We have a couple of great chefs that have been in the business for years and we have a pizza maker that’s been in the business for about 25 years.”

The pizza at Luigi’s is hand tossed and there are a variety of pizza types, including a veggie pizza, buffalo chicken, and a white clam pizza with an olive oil, garlic, parmesan cheese, mozzarella, and baby clams, she said.

Other menu items include grinders and Italian specialty dishes such as eggplant rollatini, chicken francese, and homemade lasagna.

She said Luigi’s typically provides its customer with large portions.

“It’s really comfortable; it’s homey, we have good music playing, and it’s just a nice cheerful atmosphere,” Santos said. “You can get a really good dish of Italian food or a great pizza.”

The restaurant is looking to hire waiting staff in the near future, but a definitive date for hiring has yet to be set, she added.

For more information about Luigi’s visit www.luigislongmeadow.com.