Help Rebuild Nicola's Italian Kitchen, a Community Favorite Since 1990.
After being hit hard by Hurricane Ian in 2022, our 34-year old family-owned and operated restaurant was forced to close because of extensive property damages. Since then, we have tried everything we can to get the building and business up and running again. The number of people who have asked how they can help has been heartwarming and humbling, and we still get calls and messages daily asking about when we will open. It was a difficult decision to write this, but at this point, it’s ask for help or permanently close our doors.
Since our father came to the US from Italy in the sixties, his dream was to have an Italian restaurant. He and our mom opened Nicola’s Italian Kitchen in New Britain, CT in 1965, then sold it when they started a family, prioritizing their daughters over the business. Fast forward to 1990 when their children began living independently, Nicola’s Italian Kitchen was reborn in Englewood, FL from a small sandwich shop on 776. Since then it has been a thrill to serve authentic Italian meals to thousands of families in the community over three decades and multiple generations. The moments we have shared have inspired us to keep the dream of Nicola’s alive.
Our family has faced significant challenges over the past 2 years. Our mom’s home was unlivable after Hurricane Ian, so she was displaced until a few months ago when her home was finally completed. In the meantime, the restaurant’s permit delays and slow insurance response (still not complete), led to construction delays. Further setbacks because of recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused our planned 3-month project to still be unfinished after an 18+ months.
I’m incredibly proud of my sister and brother-in-law who purchased a food truck to keep the business afloat. It’s located in the parking lot next to the restaurant building and as you can imagine, it cannot produce the volume of food that the restaurant’s kitchen could, so they have steadily depleted their personal savings, worked other jobs, and did everything they could to save the business. And they are saving the business - Nicola’s has a strong following and incredible staff who has volunteered their time at the food truck to help.
But it’s not enough, and it won’t last much longer. It’s hard to watch hardworking, honest, community-supporting people slowly lose everything they worked for over 34 years.
I’m asking for help. It’s not easy to do, but it’s not as difficult as what is bound to happen if we don’t ask. 100% of donations received will go towards rebuilding the restaurant. Your generosity will not only help to reopen the restaurant, but also ensure that my family continues to serve their community for years to come. It has been their passion a labor of love.
A financial donation is the quickest way to help, but we are grateful for any assistance. We are putting together a Volunteer Construction Crew, so if you have skills in painting, carpentry, flooring, restaurant equipment, etc, please sign up. We will have a pizza party for all those who helped when we reopen!
Stop by or send us a note to volunteer, and donate here.
Thank you for your generosity.
Nicola’s today:
Nicola’s in 2021:
Rina, Hans, Tina:
