Hampton -- Thanks to the efforts of a family native to the Seacoast, Jerry's Restaurant on Route 1 in Hampton is once again open for business after a four year interval. Rosario DeGloria and his son, Rosario DeGloria III, are the proud new owners of Jerry's - an establishment that until its recent closure was along time fixture of the Hamptons' dining community.

The DeGlorias are doing their best to restore Jerry's to its former standing. They have insisted that the place have a local feel. In helping to establish this quality they have made a concerted effort to hire local cooks, bartenders and waitstaff. All have worked in this area for a number of years and many of their faces will probably be familiar to anyone who has dined frequently in the Seacoast region.

In addition, the DeGlorias have made an effort to use local meats, produce, seafood and even regional beers in developing their menu. The DeGlorias' reason for doing this is two-fold. Firstly, they hope to support other local businesses in the community. Secondly, they believe that using local products helps to ensure the freshness of the dishes they serve and, therefore, their overall quality.

In fulfilling their "lifelong dream of owning and operating a restaurant," the DeGlorias have left nothing to chance. They have taken an active part in every aspect of putting their restaurant together - from developing the menu to painting the walls.

And they continue to take an active part in Jerry's day-to-day operations. Rosario the younger is Jerry's manager and is constantly trying to improve upon his already charming establishment. His most ambitious plan is to open a deck outside where patrons will be able to enjoy live music while eating their dinners. After the snow stops, he hopes to begin booking both jazz and blues acts, offering his customers a mellow alternative to much of the entertainment that appears at clubs and restaurants near the beach during the summer months.