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Pel’meni reopens dumpling doors

After legal problems forced local restaurant Pel'meni to close in December, the Russian dumpling eatery re-opened Monday, and has been busy since.

According to the restaurant's manager Ken Lowe, a legal dispute between the past and current owners of the restaurant chain created financial problems that forced a temporary closing.

"I think as much as it sucked to be sitting around with nothing to do, I think it gave time for things to kind of blow over," Lowe said.

Lowe said former owner Paul Schwoerer, who opened up two Pel'meni restaurants in Washington and Alaska, created a joint partnership with current owner David Bonk.

But, according to Lowe, after disputes arose about the amount of time put in by each owner, Schwoerer tried to end the partnership with Bonk.

Recently, the two reached a settlement out of court, which allowed Bonk to re-open the State Street-located restaurant.

Lowe said in the last two days, the flow of customers has been steady, and will be an addition to the various dining life on State Street, which also received the opening of restaurant chain Fuddrucker's Monday.

The return of Pel'meni will please many students, Brooke Van Buren, an employee at Art Gecko, which neighbors Pel'meni, said.

"I think it's great that they're open," Van Buren added. "People really like hanging out there, and a lot of students enjoy their food."

Van Buren also noted Art Gecko — which has been at its current location for about seven years — usually interacts with the businesses around their area.

And while Art Gecko's interaction with Pel'meni has been limited, Van Buren believed students will especially enjoy the reopening.

Lowe said before the establishment closed, it was received more than half of its business from students.

While the business flow remains steady in its opening days, the restaurant is still adjusting, as potato dumplings were unavailable Monday and Tuesday, to the disappointment of some customers.

Despite the lack of potatoes, Lowe hoped people who enjoyed the restaurant before would "spread the word" about the re-opening.

"I'd call it a convenient little eatery," he said. "We want people to come and check us out … so we can see new faces."