In 1993, as the Balkan Conflict heated up once more and UN forces moved into Macedonia, a 17 year old Albanian started thinking about how different his life could be in America. Olloman “Al” Limani was confronting the very real possibility of being forced into an army led by the notorious Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic.

Less than one year later, Al Limani found himself on the unfamiliar streets of New York City with $75 in his pocket and possessing about 10 words of the English language. Limani finds himself in America with little money, no job, no place to live and not able to speak the language. Other than this his future looks bright.  I am sure Al must have thought several times, “What am I doing here?” True to his nature, Al set out to do what Americans have done for over two hundred years – make lemonade out of lemons. There was no time for a pity party. Olloman had to find shelter and some way to feed himself.  

Limani spent two weeks living on the streets of New York city living from day to day. Al's persistence started to pay off when he landed a job as a dishwasher for a restaurant that offered him a minimum wage job that included a bed in the restaurant's damp and dark basement. Things were looking up for our lonely young man from Macedonia.

Limani went from dishwasher to assistant salad chef to salad chef and then to assistant cook learning a bit of the English language along the way. After a few years, Al wanted to try his luck as a waiter and landed a job working in a high-end restaurant on Long Island, New York.  While working there he had the opportunity to serve Frank Sinatra. The first time he waited on Ol’Blue Eyes, Al did not know who Sinatra was. Al treated him as he would anyone else. This must have suited Mr. Sinatra just fine because the next time he returned he requested Al be his server.

While in New York and working for restaurants in a variety of positions, Al hired a few employees and started two side businesses. One was a house cleaning service and the other was a snow removal service.  Al was living the American dream, you know, working 14 hours a day making lots of money and having little time to spend it. He was experiencing what America could offer someone who was willing to take a chance and work hard.

While living in New York, Al was introduced to a Midwestern gal with Albanian roots.  Al was so taken with this American born and Macedonia educated young lady that he moved to Illinois to woo and marry Lulije “Lulie” Zylku. After convincing Lulije to marry him, Al’s landed a great job as executive chef at a French Restaurant in Moline, Illinois.  From there Al went to work at Ms. Mammies’ Catfish House in Moline.

The next step on Al’s American journey was to purchase his own restaurant in Galva, Illinois. Al & Lulie started their family while living in Galva.

Al started thinking that a few less hours at work and a few more with the family would be nice so when he was offered a manager’s position running a restaurant in Cedar Falls, Iowa he embraced the opportunity.

Time past and their two children, Zima and Adie, had approached school age. Al & Lulije, with family responsibilities growing, started looking for the best place in which to raise their children. After a detailed search they decided that the best place to raise their kids was Elizabeth, IL and their new business would be the Elizabeth Welcome Inn! 

Al is now 34 years old and is sure his life’s journey is far from over however, he says he is also pretty sure he has made his last move.

Please stop by the Elizabeth Welcome Inn and enjoy for yourself the unique blend of American and European cuisine the Limanis offer their guests.

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