Prime opportunity for Figureidos

WEDNESDAY, MAR. 7: It’s about as smooth a transition as you are going to see in a business changeover — Prime’s Place is now under new ownership.

Barry Decouto sold the popular family eatery to Dennis and Lisa Figureido, who started running the restaurant at the corners of Victoria Street and Cedar Avenue on March 1.

Dennis said: “I always wanted to get a restaurant. I used to work at Manny’s years ago.”

He said there was an opportunity to purchase Manny’s when the DeCosta’s were going to sell it, but the timing wasn’t right.

“We let that slide and I’ve been trying to get a restaurant ever since. I finally got a hold of one.”

Figureido had high praise for former owner Mr Decouto.

“He had that place running like a top. Plus the staff are great and we’ve got three good chefs (Tionna Moore, Lascelles Watson and Nashit Gnosh)there that are worth their weight in gold.”

Waitress Ruby Ray has built up a customer base and has people flocking to eat at Prime’s just because of her.

“If they don’t see her, they don’t come in. I’ll duct tape her to the wall – she can’t leave.”

Mr Figureido had also a high opinion of the staff he inherited. He said manager Alana Skinner, counter person Tanasha Holder and porter Micah Smith, along with Ray and the chefs  have Prime’s Place running smoothly.

“Basically, all they did is give me the key and I’m just getting in everyone’s way right now.

“It’s well run so I don’t really need to change anything and I would have been an idiot not to buy it. I’ve eaten practically everything on the menu and it’s all been good.”

Figureido patted his belly and laughed: “As you can tell.”

He said there menu offers typical comfort food like big chicken legs, pork chops, burgers and fries, and their pot pies, which are made on the premises.

“It’s food that everyone likes so you don’t change success.”

He added the food draws people to Prime’s Place.

“It was like a no-brainer to buy it.”

He said the one thing that will be changed is the décor. “It’s a little dated and some things have to be fixed.

Former owner Mr Decouto said it was time to move on after purchasing the business over six years ago and concentrate on his other restaurants with Flanagan’s and the Outback.

“We fixed it all up and business was going good. We happened to get approached by the new owners and we sat down with them and decided to let it go.

“It’s a lovely mom and pop place. It’s the last of a dying breed. We had a good run, but there comes a time you’ve got to go. There’s somebody younger taking over who is getting a very consistent, reliable business with great local food like codfish and potatoes. It’s a big breakfast place.”

DeCouto was serious when he answered what he is going to miss most about Prime’s Place — “Doing most of the work. It was like my baby and I was there every day, which is why it was a success. If you’re there every day with your hand on the helm, that’s how you get it to where it is.”