DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant, a beloved Fresno institution, has closed its doors after more than 40 years of service. The restaurant, located at First Street and Shaw Avenue in Ash Tree Plaza, officially shut down on Sunday, according to owner Joanna Vitucci.
Vitucci, the daughter of one of the original founders, said the decision was not easy. “I just didn’t know what else to do,” she explained. “The location has not been doing well, even though it’s an oldie but goodie.”
The closure is part of a broader trend affecting the restaurant industry, with many businesses struggling to keep up with rising costs. Vitucci cited escalating food prices, higher minimum wages, and soaring energy bills as significant challenges. “The food costs have doubled, payroll has gone up, PG&E has skyrocketed,” she said.
In addition to these financial pressures, the restaurant’s lease had expired, and it had been renting on a month-to-month basis. Vitucci mentioned that her power bills for July and August alone had each reached around $10,000. “When a restaurant is barely making it, you’re barely trying to hold on just because of memories and loyalty to my employees,” she said. “I was hoping to make it a little longer.”
A Family Legacy
DiCicco’s was originally founded in the 1950s by Frank Vitucci and his siblings. Today, the family operates several other DiCicco’s locations, including those on West Shaw Avenue, downtown, and in Sunnyside. Vitucci is encouraging loyal customers to visit the West Shaw location, which is just 3.5 miles away.
The closed restaurant employed 18 people, some of whom had worked there for 30 years. Vitucci has already found jobs for eight of the employees and is in contact with family members about openings at other locations.
A Disappointing Turn of Events
Vitucci initially planned to close the restaurant earlier this summer but delayed the closure as both she and the shopping center’s owner, Ted Dang, tried to resolve a disagreement over back rent. Dang, who purchased the property two years ago, expressed disappointment at the closure. “I’m offering the same terms to anyone who wants to take over DiCicco’s,” he said. The rent for the space would be $5,130 per month.
A new restaurant, Mirchi Massala, is set to open next door.
Community Reaction
News of DiCicco’s closure spread quickly, with many locals expressing their sadness on social media platforms like Nextdoor. Commenters shared fond memories of the restaurant, including its famous cream of zucchini soup.
Jeri Finch, a longtime customer, said she had been going to DiCicco’s since her son was in elementary school. “The food was always good and the price was reasonable. Sure, there are other DiCicco’s, but they aren’t the same,” Finch wrote. “Sad to see this business, along with other great places, closing.”
The closure of DiCicco’s is just one of several recent restaurant shutdowns in the area, including Fulton Street Coffee, Fosters Freeze in Clovis, Javier’s Mexican Restaurant, and Starving Artist Bistro in north Fresno.
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