It was a busy holiday weekend for north Palm Beach County restaurant news.
Grande’s Bella Cucina in Palm Beach Gardens closed after nearly 20 years in business. Hooked served its final suppers at its current Jupiter location Sunday while hinting at future plans. Meanwhile, Jupiter’s Stadium Grill announced an ownership transition.
The changes represent three very different outcomes: a quiet closure, a possible relocation and a family-owned institution passing to new owners.
Grande’s Bella Cucina closes after nearly 20 years
Another longtime Palm Beach Gardens restaurant has gone dark as Grande’s Bella Cucina appears to have served its final meals Thursday night, becoming the second restaurant to leave Donald Ross Village in recent months.
According to the restaurant’s website, owners Graziella and Giuseppe Luppino opened Grande’s Bella Cucina on Feb. 19, 2007. The restaurant became known for its Italian menu, pizzas and courtyard dining space at 4580 Donald Ross Road. The website states that Giuseppe Luppino operated the original Grande’s Bella Cucina in New York before bringing the concept to Florida.
The closure follows the March departure of neighboring Asian Fin, which operated in the plaza for more than a decade before shutting down.
Grande’s departure also comes amid a series of recent changes involving Italian restaurants across the county including the closure and planned rebranding of Prezzo in Palm Beach Gardens and the recent shuttering of Pescatore in West Palm Beach.
Hooked closes Jupiter location, hints at future plans
Hooked on Jupiter served its final meals July 5, closing its restaurant after two years in business.
In a social media announcement, the seafood restaurant at Fresh Market Plaza thanked customers for their support and suggested relocation plans are underway for a future venture in that part of the county.
According to the restaurant’s website, Hooked grew into a family-owned brand with locations in Jupiter and Pennsylvania, emphasizing fresh seafood and a casual, community-focused dining experience.
A manager who was not authorized to speak publicly indicated that rising rent played a role in the decision, though ownership has not publicly commented on the circumstances surrounding the closure.
The business encouraged patrons to continue following the brand for updates.
Stadium Grill founder retires after 25 years
One of Jupiter’s longtime neighborhood gathering spots is entering a new era.
Dennis “Big D” Witkowski, founder of Stadium Grill, announced his retirement after 50 years in the restaurant business and 25 years operating the Jupiter sports bar.
The restaurant will remain open under new ownership.
In a farewell message to patrons, Witkowski reflected on the business’ evolution from a father-and-son venture into a community institution known for game-day gatherings, family celebrations and longtime friendships.
He also thanked employees, noting that many members of the Stadium Grill team spent more than two decades with the restaurant.
According to Stadium Grill’s website, the Witkowski family opened the Jupiter restaurant in 2000 after years in South Florida’s restaurant industry.
In the same post, Witkowski said he plans to support the new owners as the business moves forward into its next chapter.
This story will be updated as needed. Diana Biederman is the Palm Beach Post’s food & restaurant writer. Care to share news tips about the local dining scene? Please send them to dbiederman@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: From retirement to relocation, 3 local restaurants enter new chapters
Reporting by Diana Biederman, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Diana Biederman, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
