Final touches are being made at the future home of Mascagni’s Pasta Connection in the Inez Hotel building downtown.

Owner Mike Mascagni hopes to open his Italian-American fusion restaurant by the third week of April but says that could change.

“Things can happen that are out of my control,” Mascagni says “I will not open the doors unless I am absolutely ready.”

Mascagni has been busy acquiring the proper permits as well as picking a logo for shirts and signs. He has also been tweaking the menu lineup to include traditional pastas and some Americanized twists.

Back at the restaurant earlier this week, Mascagni’s wife, Jennifer, was hanging old photographs of Lincoln County while his father-in-law installed light fixtures. His two sons scattered around trying to find ways to be helpful.

“It’s a family affair,” Mascagni said. “I am very family oriented.”

Jennifer seems optimistic about the new venture.

“Being from a small town ourselves (Natchez), we love the small town atmosphere here,” she says.” [Brookhaven] just seemed to be a good fit for what we wanted to do.”

It was not an easy decision as Michael Mascagni explains.

“I spent a lot of time choosing between McComb and Brookhaven,” he said. ” In the end, I saw there was more of a need in Brookhaven. But it was not a decision made over night.”

Mascagni plans to hire a staff of around 18 for his casual, full table- service eatery. Based on his view of the community so far, he shouldn’t have much trouble finding employees to fill those spots.

“Everybody has been so nice and helpful,” he said. ” Everyone I have met has offered to help me in some way.”