Sophia's Italian Restaurant In St. Pete Closes

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Sophia's Cucina + Enoteca, an Italian restaurant in St. Petersburg, has closed its doors after becoming a well-known place in the city for almost two years.

"The past 12 months have led most businesses, small and large, to evaluate their go forward strategies," owners Alex Rodriguez and Kelly Rodriguez wrote on the company's website Tuesday. "This decision allows us to concentrate on the growth of our other exciting businesses."

The couple referred to the restaurant closing as "bittersweet."

In mid-2019, the restaurant opened at 2363 Central Avenue, and it offered Italian cuisine that received great reviews from food critics such as the Tampa Bay Times. Although Sophia's is closing, the space will keep an Italian flavor with its new owner, Nando Silvestri. His restaurant will be named, Matteo's, after his son. The opening date has not been released.

The Rodriguez couple is launching a new cafe with baked goods, a breakfast and lunch menu and grab and go prepared foods. Their new business, Sammy + Paco's Market Cafe, will open mid-April at 2735 Fifth Avenue North.

They also own the original Lolita's Wine Market, 16 18th Street South that offers carryout and dine-in service.