RICHMOND, Va. — One of Richmond’s most prolific restaurant families has shut down a Broad Street location after less than a year and sold the business to a pair of local operators.
Pane e Vino, an Italian restaurant and wine bar at 2617 W. Broad St. closed this month, owner Joe Lo Presti said. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant opened in January on the first floor of the renovated former Julian’s space.
“I had a couple of heart problems, so I couldn’t be there,” Lo Presti said. “I was trusting other people and it didn’t work, so I had to let it go.”
Lo Presti said he sold the business to Mario Contreras and Eduardo “Lalo” Macia, who plan to open Lalo’s Cocina Bar & Grill in the space next month. Lo Presti said he and his brothers also recently sold Maldini’s Ristorante Italiano on Forest Hill Avenue to Marcello Armetta, one of Maldini’s managers.
ane e Vino’s closure was first reported on Richmond.com.
Contreras said he and Macia have a 10-year lease for the West Broad Street property. They plan to cater Lalo’s to students and young couples in the area with a menu that ranges in price from $5.95 to $19.95.
“The menu they had was a little high for the area, and we’re trying to bring something more affordable in for the younger generation,” Contreras said.
Contreras said he also owns two area Don Pedro Mexican Restaurant locations in Mechanicsville and Aylett, Va., as well as Anthony’s Italian Restaurant in Mechanicsville. Macias said he owns The Patron in Mechanicsville.
Read more on Richmond BizSense.com.
