Two downtown eateries that shut their doors, one last year and the other last month, are reopening under their previous names.

Ohio Lunch, which shut its doors at 332 High Street last year after being in business since 1927, opened Monday. Pappa Luigi’s, which closed Oct. 17, is schedule to relaunch at 23 N. Third St. on Nov. 30.

Hamilton officials say new businesses are “absolutely vital” to the core downtown area as the city works to redevelop it. In recent years, downtown eateries have found it challenging to thrive, let alone survive, and many have had to cut back on staffing, while others have closed.

“Getting Pappa Luigi’s back online and having Ohio Lunch come back online as well within the same couple of weeks of each other is huge for the psyche of the downtown area,” said Antony Seppi, economic development specialist for the city of Hamilton.

Ohio Lunch owner Elias Anagnostou bought the place from Sophie Vlessis, his wife’s aunt, in 1965, moved it from Maple Avenue to High Street in 1968 and sold the business in 2000. Anagnostou, 82, said he spent nearly $9,000 to reopen the business because he couldn’t sell the building in the 14 months since Ohio Lunch’s former owners closed the eatery.

“Nobody bought it because if they don’t have the money and they go over to a bank … the bank doesn’t loan money for that kind of business now,” he said. “I opened up so maybe somebody (will buy the building) now.”

His daughter, Sophie Lansdale, said her father is in good health and can “work circles around everybody” as he prepares tried-but-true homemade fare, such as eggs, pancakes, hot cakes and french toast for breakfast, and sandwiches, burgers, gyros, pork chops, seafood, steak and, eventually, chicken and dumplings for lunch.

However, he realizes that the restaurant business is not a long endeavor, Lansdale said.

“If the right person came along to take it over, he’d be happy to help them … which he’s done with the other folks that have owned the place,” she said.

Hours at Ohio Lunch are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. but may expand to accommodate additional demand, Lansdale said.

While Ohio Lunch’s opening is months in the making, Pappa Luigi’s new owners plan to reopen the eatery just six weeks after its previous owner closed the restaurant to focus on another existing business.

“We just hated to see another small business close,” said owner Mindy Muller, who serves as president and CEO of Community Development Professionals. “They had such a great following.”

The new Pappa Luigi’s will be run by CDP project specialist Shelley Hoover, who offers “significant experience” in the restaurant industry, Muller said. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

While the re-openings are good news for downtown, the eateries ability to keep their doors open long-term will be the real test. Seppi said while the city does as much as it can to help a new business owner deal with the plethora of paperwork and regulations needed to get a storefront running, there’s not a lot city officials can do to after opening day.

“Once they get in there, it’s up to them to market and publicize their establishments,” he said. “We can’t, as a city, go out and market a restaurant. That’s not our role.”

An organization better suited for such efforts is the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, which uses social media, ribbon-cutting ceremonies and various publications to get the word out, according to Kenny Craig, the chamber’s president and CEO.

“Helping businesses increase their return on investment is part of what we do,” said Craig. “Any way we can help them promote their business, we’re going to be there doing that

City officials have shown their support by mentioning new businesses on personal and professional Facebook and Twitter accounts even after they open, according to Sascha Elliott, co-owner of Jelli’s Fudgery, which opened in August next door to Pappa Luigi’s.

However, Elliott suggested the city might use its various mailings, both electronic and printed, to keep businesses in the public eye.

“That way it’s out there in case somebody missed it the first time it ran,” Elliott said. “Even if it’s just a list of everybody who’s in town.”