Our Gang's receiving grant from city of Sharon

Melissa Klaric, The Herald, Sharon, Pa.
·2 min read

Nov. 21—SHARON — Sharon City Council doled out more money in business grants to an well-known Sharon restaurant, Our Gang's Lounge.

The city awarded the business, at 93 N. Sharpsville Ave., $50,000 to expand and upgrade kitchen equipment.

Eugene "Pie" Rossi has owned Our Gang's Lounge Inc. for 30 years. Eugene's wife, Susan Rossi, sons Geno and Giovanni and daughter Genna also help run the business.

The funds will be used to waterproof the restaurant's patio and update kitchen equipment and the hot water system.

"By winterproofing our patio, we'll be able to do more parties and private reservations," said Giovanni Rossi, manager of Our Gang's.

He said the restaurant now seats about 75. With the winterproofed patio, it would have the capacity to seat an additional 50 to 60, almost doubling the seating capacity.

"Right now, when we get larger private parties, we have to close down the restaurant to the public." Giovanni said. "This way, we can handle private events and keep the restaurant open to the public also."

The restaurant played host to a fundraiser in 2021 for then-Lt. Gov. John Fetterman — who has said for years that Our Gang's is his favorite chicken wing stop — in his successful 2022 run for U.S. Senate.

"And by updating our kitchen equipment, it will help us handle the additional business," Giovanni said. "We want to be part of helping the city grow by bringing in more people."

Sharon City Manager Bob Fiscus said he was pleased to be awarding a grant to an established Sharon business.

"Though we are excited about the new businesses coming into Sharon, we also want to make sure we are supporting our current businesses as we keep moving the city's revitalization progress forward," Fiscus said. "With this ARPA grant, we are still focused on choices that will attract more foot traffic to our downtown and a restaurant expansion will help us do that."

The city was awarded about $14 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding, given by the federal government to help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds must be allocated by 2024 and spent by 2026.

Fiscus said the city has approved spending $9.7 million, with almost $4 million given out to small businesses. The amount yet to be awarded is $4.7 million. The city has actually spent $7.4 million and $7.3 million is still available, but much of that has already been programmed, Fiscus said.

"Our Gang's is considered an institution in Sharon, and this grant will not only help support their expansion plans, but see it remain as part of the city for years to come," Fiscus said. "Our goal has always been to make a lasting impact on the city with the awarding of the ARPA funding."

Follow Melissa Klaric on twitter @HeraldKlaric or email her at mklaric@sharonherald.com