Ms. Behave: November 2016

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Viola’s – Gnocchi For The Soul

A Story About Overcoming Tragedy Through The Strength Of The Community And Each Other.

When my husband and I were newly engaged, we attended a premarital counseling class through our church. I remember the pastor encouraging us to find an older couple in our lives that have a strong, loving relationship that we would like to emulate. We were asked to spend time with that couple, and even solicit relationship advice based on their years of being happily married. At the time, we both looked at one another, lost, searching each other for an answer.

A few years later, I met Helen Viola. She worked with my husband, and immediately I adored her. She brought a sense of honest joyfulness to my life. When she told me her husband, Andy, had been in the restaurant business for years, being a foodie myself, I had to meet him and pick his brain. We became fast friends. All four of us connected through our love of food, and respect for the hard-work ethic we all brought to the table. As the years went on, I followed Andy and Helen through their culinary journey by doing small marketing jobs for them here and there, really just enough so they would feed me (and not just my appetite). Being around the Viola’s was like drinking a cup of warm soup on a cold night.

Finally, it was time for Andy and Helen’s dream to become a reality, and open up a restaurant with their name adorning the sign out front. Viola’s Pizza, Pasta and Seafood opened for business in September 2014 in St. Augustine Beach. Although Viola’s was over an hour journey from our home, my husband and I would drive down as often as we could. From the minute one walks through the restaurant’s glass door, everything reminds you of Andy and Helen. It was like finally seeing, smelling, and tasting their love of food, and their love for each other.

I once asked Helen if she had any regulars that come in every week, and she responded with, “Actually, we have guests that come in four to five times a week that are like family.” Then I thought, they probably feel the same way we feel when we visit Viola’s. Like we’re home. We feel like family too.

For the first time, Viola’s Restaurant closed for four days to complete a major renovation. Every chair rail had been wiped down and the restaurant had never looked so polished. Andy and Helen locked the restaurant doors that night, and for the first time in years, flew north to New England to spend some much needed relaxation time together.

Then, just two days later, on October 7, 2016, Hurricane Matthew blew through St. Augustine Beach like a steamroller. As my family hunkered down in Jacksonville, hoping the worst was not true, we anxiously awaited word from Helen and Andy. Nothing. For days we waited, until finally we saw the Facebook posting –

It is with heavy hearts that we bring you this update: In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Viola's Pizza, Pasta & Seafood has suffered significant water damage caused by the storm surge. Our building is still standing but we will be closed for business until further notice…

I immediately burst into tears and couldn’t get the words out to read this news to my family. Later, Helen and Andy told us that they desperately tried to get home to help secure their restaurant, but all flights were cancelled. They were trapped. They watched the news helplessly as Hurricane Matthew inched closer and closer to the Florida coast.

Almost a month later, the Viola’s are still picking up the pieces. The restaurant still stands, but had to be completely gutted on the ground floor due to significant water damage, not only to the building, but all of the equipment. And yet, they journey on, even after being denied by the insurance company, who will only cover the flood damage to the actual structure. They journey on, because that is what they do. Their journey is strong in faith and in each other.

Some days are filled with good news, small lights at the end of the tunnel, and some days are filled with major setbacks. On those days, Helen and Andy lean on each other for support, and the outpouring of support from their small beach community. This gives them the strength to say things like, “We are so lucky to have three full-time employees stick with us to help us through this. Instead of making pizzas they are hammering nails.” The Viola’s are paying these staff members full-salary with no income to them currently available.

In the few short hours that I visited with Andy and Helen at the restaurant, no less than a dozen eager patrons said the same thing over and over, “When will Viola’s reopen? We really need our Viola’s fix!” Andy and Helen would sweetly say with a smile, “We hope to be open in a few weeks.”

Our hope is that all hurricane restorations will be complete soon enough, and Viola’s will be open again for business within the next month. Until then, I will be dreaming about the gnocchi in vodka sauce Andy always prepares especially for us when we come down to eat at Viola’s Pizza, Pasta and Seafood. Homemade gnocchi, paired with the warm smiles and hugs from our family friends, who may as well be a cup of warm soup, or gnocchi, for the soul. ~

Written By:

Lisa Skowfoe

If you would like to donate to Viola's Pizza, Pasta & Seafood Restaurant to aid in the Hurricane Matthew restoration project, please click the icon below: