Charity: Coachella Valley Repertory Theater
By Heidi Simmons
“I like going through life doing my best to have a good time,” said Jerry Keller, restaurateur. “I’m lucky to have a business where I can be creative and effective enough to help people enjoy life and make everything a little more fun.”
The Keller family owns Lulu California Bistro in Palm Springs and celebrated five years in business in August. The restaurant has become one of Palm Springs’ favorite eateries and most beloved special event locations. The Kellers are in the process of opening a second restaurant: Acqua California Bistro at The River in Rancho Mirage. They previously owned and operated Acqua Pazza and will again take possession of the location using the same formula that has made Lulu so successful.
“We are excited about the new restaurant,” said Keller. “Acqua will have the same upbeat, happy and fun feeling as Lulu! We’ll have our previous space plus we are expanding to the former salon next door to provide additional river-view seating. We’re also adding an event space, which we’re calling The River Room. It will seat up to 200 guests. The east valley needs a place for private parties, business meetings and wedding receptions and we’re thrilled to serve the community with this new space.”
Keller and his wife, Barbara, have been married 35 years. They had been coming to the Coachella Valley for over 30 years and made Palm Springs their permanent home in 1996. Together the couple have four children and seven grandchildren.
Keller was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He has been in the publishing business for more than 60 years. He and his wife met in New York. Keller likes to play tennis to relax and is looking forward to getting back on the court after a knee replacement. “I’m biding my time,” Keller said. “I have a brand new knee and it’s getting better.”
As heroes go, Keller doesn’t hesitate. “It’s my wife, Barbara,” Keller said. “She’s done an amazing job for so many charities. She is genuinely interested in others, compassionate, helpful and extremely effective in helping to create better lives for so many people. She’s smart, beautiful, caring and we truly have a fairytale romance. And, she’s usually nice to me.”
A romantic, Keller’s favorite movie is Casablanca. He is a music fan of the late Harry Chapin, a folk-rock composer and performer. “Chapin was phenomenal. He was very talented and always split the money he made with his band,” said Keller. “It was tragic that he was killed on the Long Island Expressway. He was a wonderful musical storyteller, and a good person.”
The Kellers love to vacation in the South of France when they have the time. The couple has no pets but have seven grandchildren that they adore and treasure. “Four of our grandchildren are going to college,” said Keller. “We’re doing our best to help them. College is so expensive, but we want to give them a good sendoff in the world.”
Keller was honored to be named “Distinguished Businessman” by the cities of Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs. But Keller is quick to defer to his wife. “Barbara is the one with all the awards,” said Keller. “She has so many awards it’s hard for me to keep count — and she truly deserves them all!”
Keller gives much of the credit for Lulu’s tremendous success to those who are at the restaurant everyday doing their best.
“It’s a challenging business and the people working day-to-day make all the difference in the world,” said Keller. “I’m lucky to have such good people on my team. My executive chef Arturo Casillas is terrific, and his lovely wife, Karla, is the kitchen manager. I couldn’t ask for better, more hard working and honest people. We are like a family. We like to promote from within and reward our staff for their talent, dedication and hard work. I’m truly fortunate to have such wonderful people.”
Chief Operating Officer John Shay has been a positive addition and big help in getting the Kellers to go back into business at The River.
“John’s terrific! He’s proven himself more than I ever expected. I’m lucky to have him,” said Keller. “He is willing to do whatever it takes to make this crazy business work. I wouldn’t expand and put together Acqua without him. He makes it enjoyable, interesting and challenging. It’s all very exciting.” Keller is hoping for a December opening of Acqua.
As part of the Lulu’s anniversary party, the Kellers stayed true to their philanthropic roots by revisiting the “Dining Out For Life” concept and donated fifty percent of the proceeds to the Desert Aids Project. “We all did well and had great fun,” said Keller. “We’re so pleased to be able to use our restaurants whenever we can to help support vital desert charities.”
