Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
A restaurant closed in Annapolis. Customers loved the food. There was just one problem. "It's heartbreaking," a co-owner told Patch. ANNAPOLIS, MD — An Italian restaurant closed Monday, nearly five months after opening in the Annapolis Town Center. Cavalli opened in early June in the former Tuscan Prime space at 1905 Towne Centre Blvd., Suite 100. The upscale eatery was a collaboration from the restaurateurs behind Carpaccio Tuscan Kitchen, Limoncello St. Michael's, Osteria 177 and Yellowfin. Jamie Kujawski of Yellowfin said the apartments under construction across from Cavalli took away about 160 parking spaces that previously served his customers. "Our business was doing extremely well," Kujawski, co-owner of Cavalli, told Patch in a prepared statement. "Then, unexpectedly our parking was taken away and replaced with a senior living facility that is being constructed now. This was devastating for the business and unrecoverable." Kujawski was most concerned about his employees. "It just sucks," Kujawski told Patch in an interview. "It's heartbreaking because we had a great place with fantastic people working there." Kujawski and his partners want to transfer as many staffers as possible to their other restaurants. "Anything we can do to help these people is well deserved," he said. "They've done a great job for us. This is not management's fault." Kujawski's team is also opening three restaurants where workers may be able to transfer. Positano Ristorante & Pizzeria is taking over the former Agave space in West Annapolis. High Tide is replacing Harper's Waterfront Restaurant in Edgewater. A third unnamed concept is coming to Chevy Chase. "It's not fun. I hate delivering bad news to people," Kujawski said, emphasizing the importance of retaining his team. "These are great people that have dedicated themselves to this." Kujawski and his partners bought Tuscan Prime and rebranded it to Cavalli, a similar concept focusing on housemade pastas and premium steaks. "The food was excellent. The reviews were terrific," Kujawski said. Parking was the only issue. Greystar, a South Carolina-based developer, is building a 175-unit complex that sits diagonally from Cavalli. The apartments are marketed as an "active adult" community for residents aged 55 and up. Greystar has not responded to Patch's request for a comment. The Annapolis Town Center has seen plenty of change recently. Federal Realty bought the center for $187 million earlier this month. Less than a week later, Patch confirmed that women's boutique Stardust Deluxe and Baltimore Coffee and Tea will depart the center. Both plan to reopen nearby. Kujawski and Federal Realty said the Cavalli closure is not related to the sale of the town center. Related: 2 Businesses Leaving Recently Sold Annapolis Town Center Annapolis Shopping Center Sold For Nearly $200M New Mexican Restaurant In Annapolis Is Rooted In Family Sub Shop Closing At Annapolis Mall, Plans To Reopen Downtown: Reports Chick & Ruth's Owner Running For Anne Arundel County Council In District 7 FatFace Closes Downtown Annapolis, St. Michaels Clothing Stores Annapolis Native Opening His 3rd Chick-fil-A In Anne Arundel County Building Housing Mangia Italian Grill No Longer Heading To Auction Lasang Pinoy Closes Filipino Restaurant After 2 Years At Annapolis Mall Annapolis Sandwich Shop Among 100 Best In America, New Ranking Says Pusser's Landing Opens At Canton's Lighthouse Point Marina Apartments Under Construction At Annapolis Town Center Captain's Daughter Opens Upscale Coastal Restaurant In Westin Annapolis Capo Deli Opens In Downtown Annapolis On Main Street Main Street Building Sold For Millions In Downtown Annapolis Annapolis Shirt Company Closing After Over 20 Years On Main Street Secret Spot Pizza Opens In Annapolis Market House With 3-Minute Pies Shades Of The Bay Reopens Under New Ocean City-Based Ownership: Report Agave Closes West Annapolis Mexican Restaurant, Eyes DE Expansion New Restaurants, Closed Shops Among 2024 Business Turnover
