John Lennon's iconic pop solo "Imagine" is the rallying cry of two restaurateurs striving to win back patrons.

The Lennon classic, written in 1971, invites listeners to share his vision of utopia and is the root of the name of the struggling restaurant, Imagines, in Upper St. Clair.

Since reopening April 22, business has been sparse compared with six months ago when 250 dinners and 20 to 60 lunches were served on an average weekend day.

The past two weekends have averaged about 50 dinners per evening. One Friday this month, no lunches were served.

"We want our success to reflect where we were in December,'' said chef and co-owner Jeff Smith for whom, like partner Paty Kamtsios, owning a restaurant is a lifelong dream borne after decades of working for others in the industry.

Mr. Smith, 54, of Peters, and Mrs. Kamtsios, 52, of Dormont, borrowed $225,000 from banks and family members to buy the former Pasquarelli's restaurant on Painters Run Road on May 1, 2007.

True to its family-run claim, relatives pitched in with plumbing, electrical, cleaning and serving skills.

Retaining some of the neighborhood institution's favorite menu items, such as fresh veal dishes, while adding its own creations, including Mr. Smith's peach tree chicken, the business flourished.

"It was a lot of hard work, but at the end of the day, we'd sit back and say, 'We own this place,' '' Mrs. Kamtsios said.

Then, on Jan. 22, a fire in the laundry room sparked a series of events that led to the restaurant's 14-week closure.

In addition to the soot damage, which required disaster restoration services -- paid by insurance -- safety code violations were discovered by the township fire marshal, which resulted in the loss of the occupancy permit.

It also was determined that a third-floor office addition had been erected without a permit.

After the doors shut, some employees left, while others, including 26-year hostess/secretary Joan Subak, of Upper St. Clair, volunteered her services.

With no income, the owners said they secured second mortgages on homes and borrowed more money. Mr. Smith sold much of his beloved Beatles collection.

"I'm proud of our spouses for the support they gave us those three months,'' said Mrs. Kamtsios about her husband, Peter, and Mr. Smith's wife, Carol.

Today, the restaurant is in full compliance with township codes, and some longtime customers have returned, including Susan and Ray Fretterd, of Mt. Lebanon, and Marge Besselman, of Heidelberg, who ate there as a teen with her parents decades ago.

"This place is like coming home,'' she said.

The owners said their wishes are best summed up by Lennon's "Imagine" lyrics, which are printed on the menu covers: "We hope someday you'll join us.''