Domino’s rival shares moving message to customers as it makes ‘bittersweet’ decision to close after 50 years

A BELOVED pizzeria is closing its doors in just a few weeks after being in business for more than 50 years.

Donte’s Restaurant and Pizzeria in Brook Park, Ohio, just 20 minutes south of Cleveland, will close its doors for the final time in mid-July.

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The restaurant opened in 1972 after being purchased by Tony and Betty Casedonte.

Over the years, the restaurant has continued to be a family business, with the couple’s four children and five grandchildren keeping the lights on.

The restaurant is known for its pizza, pasta and other Italian dishes – rivaling popular chains in the area such as Domino’s and Little Caesar’s.

In 2022, the Brook Park City Council honored the restaurant by celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The City Council presented a resolution to the Casedonte family and Donte employees to congratulate the company for its impact on the community.

“Donte’s Restaurant and Pizza Shop is a full-service restaurant, family owned and operated since 1972, and Tony and Betty are survived by four children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild,” board chairman Mike Vecchio said at the time, of a deal with cleveland.com.

“The tradition of home cooking continues today at Donte’s, and it continues to be a place for family and friends to gather and enjoy good food.”

Beth Angeloff and Mark Casedonte announced the closure on Facebook earlier this month.

They revealed that the decision to close is “bittersweet” as they have loved serving the community for decades.

“To our dear customers/family/friends, we wanted to be the first to share the official news with you,” the announcement read.

“After 52 years in business, we have made the bittersweet decision to close our doors. It has been a pleasure to serve this community for over 50 years and we are honored to continue our parents’ legacy.

He continued, “We feel everyone’s love regarding this next chapter and we hope to see you all in the coming weeks as we say goodbye to Donte.”

The post revealed that the last day of normal operation is scheduled for July 17th.

The following weekend, the restaurant will host a “Last Call” celebration.

The celebration will be a ticketed event, with tickets costing $70.

Tickets include access to buffet, soft drinks, dessert, gift/souvenir and two alcoholic beverage tickets for ages 21 and over.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit a local community food pantry and outreach program.

The restaurant is selling tickets in person and over the phone.

Hundreds of fans and customers flooded the restaurant’s Facebook comments section, sharing their memories of eating at Donte’s over the years.

“Thanks guys for all the great memories,” wrote one customer.

“I always liked pizza! The long days of snow operations at Hopkins would go by a little faster if the team knew Donte’s was coming for lunch!

For one, it is more expensive to operate restaurants due to higher wages and food costs. On the other hand, it is becoming increasingly difficult to pass on these higher operating expenses to customers with increasingly higher menu prices.

Mitchell Olsenprofessor at the University of Notre Dame

“Love you guys! Great family and Donte will be missed!” another said.

“Sad for us! Congratulations! I wish you all the best!” a third chimed in.

The restaurant did not reveal the exact reason for closing next month.

However, it joins dozens of other businesses across the country that are closing.

Mitchell Olsen, a marketing professor specializing in retail at the University of Notre Dame, told The US Sun that these closures are partly due to inflation.

“On the one hand, it is more expensive to operate restaurants due to higher wages and food costs,” Olsen said.

“On the other hand, it is becoming increasingly difficult to pass on these higher operating expenses to customers with increasingly higher menu prices.”

As a result, Olsen said there is a trend for customers to eat out less.

“Consumers are starting to resist the high cost of dining out, thinking twice before purchasing that appetizer or going to a restaurant,” he explained.

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