Today we’d like to introduce you to Russ Smith.
Russ, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I moved to Alton around 1980 to work on the local newspaper, The Telegraph, as a photographer. Five or six years later, I bought an old historic three story commercial building in the main business district, on West Third Street. I remained at the Telegraph for many years, and also invested and rehabbed a few buildings in the Downtown Alton district I rehabbed the upper floor of the first building as my loft apartment because of the beautiful river view and vibrant nightlife. I rented the first and second floors to a series of retail shops and service businesses, until around 2002. That year I left the newspaper to take over my dad’s business, and shortly after that, the first floor tenant decided to move on. I always had a love of bar and restaurants scenes, and decided, what the heck, I can do it too. SO, I made the leap, began renovation of the first floor as a small 50 seat restaurant, and we opened up in early summer of 2004. Bossanova is an upscale lounge with a cocktail centric theme, a unique niche at the time in Alton. Plans were to have a tapas style food menu, and robust wine list. The night before opening, my bartender, local legend Jill McNamara, and I decided to put together a martini list too. I had been going to Tangerine on Washington Ave in St. Louis, and remembered their list with martinis named for “The Rat Pack.” So, I decided to name ours after James Bond references, like The Golden Gun, The 007, The Pussy Galore, and others. We sold out of vodka in about two hours, and from then on we have been known as “the martini bar” in Alton…(and the food is great, too)!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We live and work in a beautiful and historic area in Alton. Our history is linked to the Mississippi River, which is a couple hundred yards from our front doors in Downtown. Having the historic link is such a blessing, but we have been challenged by the river proximity, as all river towns are. The river goes up every few years, and the town, with its city leaders, and property and business owners, and residents, do their best to work around it when it hits flood stage. Flood stage sometimes means water on streets closest to the river, sometimes it means a couple inches of water in our basements….usually it’s all manageable. I owned my building in 1993, but Bossanova was not yet opened. That summer, the river hit its highest mark on record, and no amount of sandbagging was going to keep it back. The entire Downtown business district flooded, several feet into the first floors of most businesses. It lingered for weeks before receding, and when it did go down, the mud and debris took months to clean up. Many businesses closed, my tenant on the first floor left, and it took quite a while for things to get back to normal. The cost of that flood, both psychologically and financially, was a huge challenge.
As you know, we’re big fans of Bossanova Restaurant and Lounge. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Bossanova is a 50 seat restaurant in Downtown Alton, Illiois. I have been open for 22 years, and weathered good economies and bad, the devastating flood of 1993, the pandemic, and its repercussions. Our restaurant has a unique feel…when we opened long ago we were known as a ‘metro’ bar, meaning we were different from most of the other places in town because of our menu, our cocktail list, and our modern decor. Nowadays, we are not the only place in Alton claiming this niche….the town has caught up with us! As has the region….SO much competition from such great venues all over now. So it IS an achievement for any place to last for 22 years, especially a restaurant. The rumors are true!…the margins are miniscule, food costs and labor costs are on the rise, taxes are a big issue, as is insurance. All businesses deal with these costs, but I do think our challenges are some of the biggest. So I’m proud for our longevity, for my staff and how we’ve all dealt with it, I’m proud of our reputation in the community, that we’re known as a fun place, a safe place, a place that is different and sets itself apart, and the quality of the offerings of course. And, a place my daughter is hoping to continue as the years go by!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Definitely restaurant business media, from recipes and drink ideas, to interior design and business apps.
Contact Info:
- Website: altonbossa.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/altonbossa/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/altonbossa
