ROLAND AND LIS HAJSZAN SAID THEY ARE HAPPY they moved Rosanna’s European Delights from Military East to 305 First St. in August 2011. For one thing, the couple said, they’re getting a lot more foot traffic from both residents and tourists — and they’re still getting the occasional customer who patronized them at their old site. “I thought you closed!” they’ve heard more than once.

The Hajszans bought the original Rosanna’s pastry store in Fairfield when Klaus and Rosanna Jacobi, the founders, decided to retire after Rosanna, for whom the store was named, became too ill to continue working.

Roland Hajszan had completed four years of training in both pastry and baking in his native Austria in addition to working at distinguished European hotels and resorts before moving to the United States in 1991. He worked for the Jacobis for several years before buying their store.

The Hajszans decided to expand to Benicia in 2007. Their subsequent move downtown came at a good time: Their lease on Military East was coming to an end, and they had received encouragement and support from Manuel and Pat Lopes, Rosanna’s customers for years who wanted to retire and close their First Street antique store.

More encouragement came from neighbors. Plein Air Gallery artist Pat Ryll and Phil and Celeste Joy had wanted a bakery at the site, and “Celeste came to see me, to see if we were interested,” Lis said.

“Phil and Celeste did everything,” she said, helping the couple negotiate the requisite paperwork.

They moved, but the couple kept on their menu the items that had made Rosanna’s popular — French pastries and cakes for all occasions, including weddings and religious events — and even artistic, creatively designed cakes.

“People don’t realize what Roland can do,” Lis said. Provided a picture, Roland can create cakes in a variety of images.

Rosanna’s also sells fresh breads, rolls, cookies, breakfast Danish, tortes and other delights, and caters finger foods.

The couple has focused on European-influenced pastries and baked goods, such as pink champagne, Swedish princes, Paradise cake and Phil Joy’s favorite, chocolate mousse.

Lately, to complement the baked goods, the Hajszans have been serving a house coffee that is a European espresso blend. And at the urging of the Joys the couple is introducing other coffee selections, featuring Lappert’s Coffee.

They’ll be serving French roast, a hazelnut-flavored coffee and a lighter roast island blend, they said.

Rosanna’s European Delights is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, and later hours during First Street’s special events.

It’s on the Web at rosannascakes.com and its phone number is 707-747-9333.

Nine O Seven Grill marking first anniversary

Nine O Seven Grill is celebrating its first year in business Thursday with a ribbon cutting ceremony, complimentary appetizers and discounted prices on certain beverages.

The restaurant is named for its address, 907 First St. Its current hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.

But at customers’ request, the restaurant will resume serving breakfast starting this Friday. Beginning that day, the restaurant’s new hours will change to 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.

It also offers catering, which can be arranged by calling 707-742-3097.

The first anniversary celebration will take place from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, with the ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m.

The restaurant’s website is www.907grill.com.

Legos lead to learning At BrickSpace

BrickSpace, a Lego Learning Center, has outgrown its current space at 418 Military East and is moving May 1 to 946 Tyler St., Suite H.

Owner and founder Fary Koh opened the center last November, and it quickly became popular.

The center is a one-of-a-kind concept. Using Lego-brand bricks and educational products, it provides hands-on and project-based learning activities to introduce science, technology, engineering and mathematics in ways intended to be fun.

BrickSpace is a place for birthday parties, drop-in play, after-school programs and semi-structured classes, Koh said.

One Friday each month, BrickSpace is open for a parents’ night out, so children can build, play, relax and compete, and have a dinner and snack.

Benicia preschool and elementary pupils also get to participate in activities when BrickSpace travels to their schools for after-class clubs.

Koh said she has extensive experience working with children for the past 12 years, providing child-centered after-school and summer enrichment programs.

She discovered that Lego toys provide important hands-on learning and help children learn math, science and engineering skills while they have fun.

BrickSpace is for children from preschool to age 10. Tuition for the camp is $125, $115 for siblings or friends; and $25 a day for the Junior Brick Builder Club, mini-camps and July 4 week. Lunches are an additional $5 a day.

BrickSpace Summer Camp Fair will be from 3:15-6:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 1. Those registering for the camp may receive a 5-percent discount and a Lego mini-set to take home.

Multiple camps and classes are being offered this summer; and those interested may call the center at 707-745-8088 or visit its website.

The Benicia Herald’s weekly Benicia Business Beat column is an opportunity for local businesses and companies to tell our readers about such news as moves, grand openings, awards, promotion of employees, staff changes and changes in goods and services.

Submissions need to answer the questions who, what, when, where, why and how, preferably in the body of an email, and provide contact information.

Deadline is 3 p.m. Friday for news items that will appear in the next Tuesday edition’s Benicia Business Beat. Please email news releases and accompanying high-resolution photographs and logos to beniciaherald@gmail.com, and put “Attn. Business Beat” in the subject line, as well as the name of the business.

The Benicia Herald also appreciates area companies’ advertising patronage. For advertising services, call 707-745-0733 or email adsbenicia@yahoo.com.

—Donna Beth Weilenman