(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship (SBC), announced Genusa’s Italian Restaurant of Monroe, La. as Small Business of the Week, and will be submitting it into the official Congressional Record.

“Louisianians are known for their good food, hospitality, and Southern charm, which is exactly what the Genusas of Monroe have built their family-owned and operated Italian restaurant on,” said Vitter. “After years dreaming of sharing their family recipes with their community, Cherry and Francis took the entrepreneurial leap and opened their namesake Italian restaurant as a place for their friends and neighbors to gather and break bread, and have been successful ever since. I extend my congratulations to the Genusas and the Genusa’s team for being selected Small Business of the Week, and I wish them continued growth and success.”

In 1967, Cherry and Francis Genusa opened their namesake authentic Italian restaurant in Monroe, La., realizing a life-long dream to share their family’s original recipes with their community. Genusa’s first opened their restaurant doors as a small kitchen with one dining room. Operating in this small storefront, the Genusa family had all hands on deck—cooking, dish washing, and even table waiting—to make their hidden gem into the success it is today. Keeping with their Italian heritage, Genusa’s prides itself on providing the freshest produce by growing most of their Italian herbs and tomatoes themselves, allowing them to create their signature spices and sauces that have been passed down the Genusa family tree. With a lot of hard work and determination, the Genusas have turned the once small kitchen and dining room into a spacious restaurant sharing Francis’ ancestral recipes with Northeast Louisiana.

As SBC Chairman, Vitter continues the tradition of honoring America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs.

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