Bollinger's Preps for Weekend Reopening

is primed to return this weekend, with its grand opening Saturday followed by a ribbon-cutting on Sunday.

Owner Joe Tonelli cited financial reasons when he closed the restaurant at 282 Main St.

But with new co-owner Mary Bulone, who said she "couldn't bear to let one of my favorite restaurants go down without a fight," the restaurant is ready for another go.

"We know that just a fresh coat of paint won't do, which is why we have made many changes," she said. "Not only have we tweaked the menu to better suit our clientele, but we have hired many new faces and have put them through an extensive training program to ensure superior customer satisfaction."

Bulone said several local dignitaries are due at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon Sunday.

The restaurant will operate Sundays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. until midnight.It will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner service.

The old-fashioned ice cream parlor dates back to the 1900's, when it opened as Von Leesen's. Fred Bollinger took over and renamed it more than a decade ago before retiring in October 2010 and selling it to Tonelli.