SAN DIEGO, Calif. (CBS 8) - San Diegans who thought they'd never enjoy another Nicolosi's meal had better think again. The popular Italian restaurant is reopening after shutting down nearly three weeks ago.
With the clock ticking, Sam Nicolosi and his staff are working overtime to get their landmark Del Cerro restaurant open for business again after being closed for nearly three weeks.
"Now the legacy is going to continue through my family, through my nephews and I couldn't be happier," Sam said.
On Nov. 18, the 64-year-old decided it was time to shutter the doors on the family business, which was around for 57 years. Health issues and a tough economy had finally taken a toll. But when word of last month's closure spread among loyal customers, they overwhelmed Sam and his faithful employees during their final days.
"We had a two and a half hour wait to get in this place for four days. I started going, 'Where have you all been?'" Sam said.
Besides an emotional boost from his adoring clientele, Sam also got financial help from his nephews, who will be running the day-to-day operations for him while he semi-retires in Mammoth.
"My brother and I kept talking about it back and forth and we finally just called Sam up and said uncle, we can't let this thing die," Sam's nephew Ron Burner said.
And to celebrate its grand reopening, Nicolosi's has a surprise for customers.
"We're offering everybody a welcome back 20 percent off the bill for a limited time, probably just through the weekend, 20 percent off everything we have," Burner said.
The doors will reopen at Nicolosi's Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m.
Nicolosi's Italian Restaurant
5351 Adobe Falls Rd
San Diego, CA 92120
Tel: 619-287-5757
