Paolucci Lounge Restaurant

The Paolucci family business dates back to 1894, when two brothers, Felix and Dominic Paolucci came to Atchison from Frosolone, Italy, a small town just north of Naples. Together, along with Dominic’s wife Rosa, they started Paolucci’s Grocery. Dominic and Rosa had three sons, Nick, John and Felix and one daughter, Mary.

Nick, John and Mary stayed with their parents to help run the store, while Felix left Atchison to pursue a career in the Navy. In 1936, Mary Paolucci married Ed Begley, and created what is now known as Paolucci & Begley Grocery.

Mary and Ed had four children, Rosemary, Ed, Joe and Mike. Rosa Paolucci passed away in 1958, leaving the store to Nick, John, and Mary. Mary’s youngest son, Mike Begley, joined the family business in 1970. Mary J. Begley died on October 2, 2000.

In 1983, Mike and his wife Margie opened Paolucci’s Restaurant (formerly Jack’s Café). They have two sons, Ed and Mark. Above the restaurant, the Old Traveler’s Hotel became Paolucci’s Lounge in 1990 and is now run by Ed Begley. Mark Begley is a financial planner in Atchison.

Paolucci’s Restaurant is proud to be celebrating our 30th anniversary in 2013. As you can see, our ties to Atchison go back much further than 30 years, and we hope that they last much longer. We thank you, the people of Atchison, for giving the Paolucci-Begley family the opportunity to be part of this great community.