The owners of the forthcoming Bertolone Italian Café in downtown Clanton have set their sights on a tentative opening date of Dec. 15.

“If I can’t open by the 15th, it will be January,” said Sonia Bertolone-Carrillo, adding that the facility at 605 Second Ave. N. has undergone extensive renovations including new bathrooms and electrical work.

“It’s been a lot of work,” she said.

Bertolone-Carrillo expects new equipment to arrive by the first week of December, and the restaurant is currently accepting job applications. A job fair will be held Monday, Nov. 16 at Elizabeth Hall from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Bertolone-Carrillo, previously the president of Joe’s Italian in Alabaster, sold that business in September of last year but plans to offer a similar atmosphere and menu at Bertolone Italian Café. Examples of food served will include pasta, lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, salads, subs, cakes, espresso and cappuccino. She also hopes to serve beer and wine, although the restaurant has not yet applied for a license.

“It will be very similar; that type of quality and that type of food,” Bertolone-Carrillo said.

Business hours will likely be 10:30 a.m. to 8 or 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. The café will also offer catering and take-out.

Customers can now order strawberry cakes from the Bertolone Italian Café Facebook page.

Bertolone-Carrillo, a native of Italy who moved with her family to California at the age of 6 and later to Alabama, said she is happy to be opening a business in Clanton.

“I love the small-town feel of Clanton. It makes me happy,” she said.