History

WHERE WE COME FROM

The idea for a restaurant in the Windham Hotel isn’t a new one. The coffee shop had been a fixture in the town for nearly 50 years but the last two decades the space has been empty. After the fiery end of Oona’s Restaurant and the quiet closing of Boccelli’s, the village of Bellows Falls was yelling for a place where one could get dinner and a drink. The Windham Development Group purchased the building from the town in 2005 and started charting a course forward.

Gary, John-Michael, and Kristen all spent time on the Board of Directors at community radio station WOOL. Their complementary experiences with food, hospitality, and promotion led them to join forces and raise the capital needed to get a restaurant going. Over several months in 2011 the three drafted a detailed business plan and sent it to friends in and out of the area. By January 2012 they’d interested sufficient investment to get things moving. The Windham Development Group was very helpful in bringing together people who also shared an interest in seeing the building thrive again. The Preservation Trust of Vermont also stepped up with a grant.

Ordering equipment and configuring the space began in earnest in February of 2012. Popolo opened on Tuesday, May 22, 2012.

Then after 7 years Popolo closed in 2019, due to the sad passing of Gary Smith. The resturant stayed vacant for 4 years waiting for new life to be breathed into this beautiful space. In March, 2023 the Board of Directors approached Darlene Doane asking if she would be willing to take on the challenge of opening a new resturant in the space. In honor of Gary she kept the name Popolo in the title but changed it slightly to ‘Ciao Popolo.’ The resturant opened April 21st, 2023. Now being open for 2 years, it has become a town staple again, bringing a welcoming atmosphere with Italian cuisine & family recipes. Celebrating the community by hosting T-Dances & town parties. There will be a lot more to offer in the coming months, & years from this space.