Sammio’s Italian Restaurant, a popular dining spot known for its Italian-inspired menu, reopened Thursday after an unexpected closure.
The restaurant at 2623 Raeford Road in Fayetteville announced its return on its Facebook page after what the post called a “two-week vacation.” It said that doors will reopen at 11 a.m. Thursday.
A call to the restaurant after 11:30 a.m. Thursday confirmed it was open.
“We couldn’t be happier to be back in here,” Owner James Whiteaker said Thursday. “We had a line waiting at the door when we opened at 11 o’clock to get in here. So, it’s been amazing today so far.”
The restaurant closed Oct. 25 and an eviction notice posted to the door warned that anyone entering the premises would be considered trespassing.
Owned by Sarah and James Whiteaker since 2008, Sammio’s has been a staple in Fayetteville’s food scene.
Whiteaker said he is grateful for the community’s support during and after the closure, adding that the love and support they have received on Facebook since making the original post announcing their return has been “incredible.” He said the restaurant’s closure is due to a legal issue with the landlord and original owner of the brand, Louis Frangos, who opened the restaurant in 2004 and still owns the Sammio’s in Hope Mills