Amici Italian Restaurant, a longtime St. Augustine dining staple, may close at the end of the month unless a buyer is found, its owners announced June 11.
Owners Freddy and Jenn Underhill, who took over the restaurant at 1915 State Road A1A S. in March 2020 at the onset of the COVID pandemic, shared the news of the potential closing in a heartbreaking Facebook post:
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write,” the post began.
“A little over 6 years ago, on March 11, 2020, we took over Amici. A few days later the world shut down. What followed was a journey none of us could have imagined.
“Through a pandemic, almost every piece of equipment breaking our first 3 months, labor shortages, rising costs, hurricanes, sleepless nights, let’s not even open up the can of worms we got into in 2025 and every challenge imaginable, WE FOUGHT. We fought because we believed in this place. We fought because we believed in our staff. Most importantly, we fought because we believe in this community.
“Unfortunately it appears that our journey here is coming to an end,” the post continued. “While there is still a Hail Mary chance a buyer could step forward and keep the story going, we have reached a point where as heartbreaking as it is… we must prepare for the possibility that Amici will close its doors by the end of this month.”
The announcement comes some nine months after the Underhills listed their 8,717-square-foot restaurant and banquet space for sale for $3.5 million. On June 13, the asking price was listed at $2.95 million on LoopNet.
History of Amici Italian Restaurant
Serving traditional Italian fare from family recipes, Amici was founded in 1999 by Vito Arena. Five years later, his sister, Benedetta Dubetz, moved to the area and helped launch the restaurant’s banquet room and events business.
The restaurant was routinely voted the area’s top Italian restaurant by St. Augustine Record readers, earning the honor for 13 consecutive years in just its first 16 years of business.
After 21 years, the Arena family sold the restaurant to the Underhills. Days after the couple relaunched the restaurant in March 2020, the state implemented restrictions for restaurants in the early days of the pandemic, limiting capacity to just 50% in dining rooms.
That was just the first of several challenges the couple would face over the last six years as they worked to realize their dream of running their own business.
“To our staff, past and present… anyone who has spent time helping us at Amici, thank you. Thank you for believing in us, standing beside us, and giving your hearts to this restaurant,” the Underhills wrote in their post on social media.
“To our beloved guests, thank you for every meal shared, every celebration hosted, every kind word, every recommendation, every review, every laugh, and every memory made within these walls.”
In the post, the couple invited Amici’s guests, past and present, to visit the restaurant one more time to help them “celebrate what Amici has meant to so many people.”
Community reaction to restaurant’s possible closure
Several guests left comments on the post, offering encouragement, thanks and memories for the couple and their restaurant.
“My heart hurts, this place is more than just a restaurant it truly has been a second home to me for the past 6 years,” one comment read. “Jenn and Fred are some of the most hard working people I’ve met. Learning from them has been one of the biggest blessings I’ve had. Thank you for everything, love my food mafia family so so so much.”
Another wrote: “My husband and I had our first kiss in your parking lot after an amazing date at Amici. We are both so sad.”
“You didn’t win all those well deserved awards for nothing. The sacrifices you made and the obstacles you overcame were miracles and testimonials to your strength and fortitude. You guys gave it your all. Thank you for all the wonderful meals. Best of luck in your future endeavors,” read another.
And: “I know you and your crew put your heart and soul into Amici’s. I wish you all the best!!”
Amici Italian Restaurant is open daily at 4 p.m. Reservations, which are recommended but not required, can be made at amicistaugustine.com.
Gary T. Mills is the deputy managing editor at The Florida Times-Union. He has led the newspaper’s dining coverage since 2010.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Amici Italian Restaurant may close in St. Augustine after 27 years
Reporting by Gary T. Mills, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Gary T. Mills, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
