Restaurateur ties community together
By Sumita Louis, Outpost Staff
|
In this package: Reno
Basques cope with culture
gap Early
Basque settlers found solititude in
sheepherding
|
When he first came to Reno nearly 50 years ago, Louis Erreguible never imagined that he would become a restaurateur. And not once did he ever think he would be held up as the most exemplary Basque in town. But today, there is no getting away from the fact that he is both.
For 30 years, Louis Basque Corner has been a focal point for Reno's Basque community. But the restaurant, tucked away in a corner of Reno's busy downtown, is also a colorful window into Louis' homeland for those who've never seen the Basque country. Newcomers get a vivid glimpse of the Basque way of life from the restaurant's bright decor, bustling staff in traditional costumes and the generous sprinkling of Basque paintings on the creamy walls
The man behind this quaint restaurant is a walking bundle of energy. Not many will guess he's a 71-year-old grandfather with six children,11 grandchildren and four great-grand children.
But Louis is still as sharp as the 22 year old who first came to Reno in 1948. After all these years, it is not surprising to find that Louis loves the city. "There are so many things to do here, especially outdoors. I love to hunt, to fish, and most of all to welcome new people to my restaurant," says the sprightly Basque.
Ever since the restaurant opened its doors, Reno's Basques have gathered there to dine, celebrate and discuss issues. "The Basque Corner is an integral part of our community,"says Marie Lou Urrutia, president of the Reno Basque Club. "Louis and his wife, Lorraine, are very supportive of our get-togethers and always give donations to club activities. The restaurant is also the meeting point for the community. We hold all our meetings and celebrate important festivals there."
The link between the restaurant and the club goes as far back as 1967, the year both institutions were founded. And the restaurant is certainly an institution today.
Before coming to the United States, Louis led an interesting life in the Basque country, making a speedy transition from student to soldier. After receiving his Certificat D'Etude, Louis went to Bordeaux, France, and apprenticed as a plumber. He would study in the morning and pay for his education by working afternoons. Two of his uncles owned hotels, so he worked there as well for his board and room. His aunt Jeanne was a tremendous cook and put Louis to work in the kitchen. From her, Louis learned some of the famous Basque recipes offered in his restaurant today.
During the World War, Louis fought for the Free French. After the war Louis, sponsored by an uncle, came to Nevada in 1948. He was to work for one of his uncles in Fallon. But he changed his mind and started work at Eugene's, then Reno's best French restaurant. His starting pay was $5.
He also worked in the Riverside Hotel, Santa Fe and then later at Andre's Big Hat Basque Hotel in Reno. Later his cousin, Rene, asked Louis to come back to Reno and help out at his furniture shop. For the next 17 years Louis worked as a custom cabinet maker in Reno.
For a while Louis was content. But from 1962 onward, his friend Judge Emile Gezelin kept badgering him to start his own restaurant. He held out for five years. But after a terrible accident in May 1967 in which he almost lost his hand, Louis decided to go back to what he always loved--restaurants. And the idea of the Basque Corner was born.
"It was our dear friend, Judge Gezelin, who found this location for us. With his assistance and another dear friend, Fred Jauregui, we were able to start the restaurant that same year, in December," reminisced Louis.
"In those days, this was the location of the old Lincoln Hotel built back in 1906. The judge said, 'I think this hotel is up for grabs,' so we took a look around. It was in a pretty bad condition then, but we leased it. We had to resurrect the building, to put it mildly," said Louis. Thirty years later, Louis Basque Corner still stands on the same corner at Evans and Fourth streets.
They opened the restaurant with one dining room and no air conditioning. After a year the Erreguibles knew something had to be done. So they got financing, put in a big dining room, added air conditioning, refurbished the floor upstairs and ended up with what they have today. The most interesting feature of Louis Basque Corner is its family style dining concept. "This is the way we serve meals in the old country," Louis says. "Everybody sits together, eats good food and becomes friends after a while. This common dining is one of the Basque traditions that visitors often come to sample. They end up becoming regular diners at the Corner."
The restaurant is popular with non-Basques as well. "It's a classic Reno restaurant with good hearty, simple fare," says Scott Mensing, an assistant professor of geography at the University of Nevada. "Louis is a wonderful character. He is extremely friendly and gregarious with guests, most of whom he comes and meets personally."
The couple's eldest son died some years ago, but the remaining five children all live in Reno. Both sons and the three daughters have been involved in the family restaurant in one way or the other. In the future, Louis looks forward to his children taking over more of the restaurant's functioning. He says he would like to find more time to play with his grandchildren and teach them the ways of his Basque ancestors just as he has been teaching his customers for 30 years.
copyright 11/15/97 Nevada Outpost
http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost