La Lanterna, a nearly two-decades-old fixture in Ridgewood, is set to reopen after closing temporarily and has returned to familiar hands. The Italian restaurant, located at 29 West Ridgewood Avenue, is reopening under the management of the original owners, Paul and Joanne Karoutsos, who had sold the business more than a year ago to retire, the family said.

Having founded the restaurant in 2004, the Karoutsos had a close connection with old customers and staff that they did not so easily part with. So, when they heard that the new owners had decided to sell after about 13 months, the Karoutsos jumped on the opportunity and closed on the deal about three weeks ago, they said.