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Un Amore, the popular Italian restaurant located at Five Corners just outside of the historic town of Christiansted, on Monday announced plans to close as a result of a dramatic decrease in business due to Covid-19-related restrictions and guidelines.
According to the release, the restaurant — which opened in January 2016 — will close on Sunday, June 28, 2020.
Owners Katherine and Frank Pugliese explained that while revenues dropped, expenses including rent, electricity and water did not decrease. “Restaurants run on a razor-thin margin, “ stated Frank Pugliese, the chef and partner at Un Amore, “Our food quality (costs) is high, we have a lot of staff, and our space is air-conditioned. Those factors make success a constant effort on any given day, but during Covid-19 restrictions, it makes it an uphill battle.” Although the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan covered being able to keep and maintain most of the staff during the whole period, the funds have been depleted. While the family-owned business made many changes to adapt, the business model is not sustainable.
Posted : June 15, 2020 5:47 pm
I saw the article, sad news. While my wife and I only ate there one time, we’re still fairly new to the island, we know many folks who are regulars and have spoken highly of it. I hope it’s not a trend.
Posted : June 15, 2020 9:27 pm
sadly it may be a trend, Balter and Harveys gone, a couple more I can't recall and now Un Amore
Posted : June 16, 2020 10:22 am
Topic starter
Until the masses get vaccinated, all things tourist related is going to take a hit. But once people feel safe again, these islands are going to get swamped.
Posted : June 16, 2020 12:45 pm
That's actually a good point and was wondering if domestic travel will increase as a result. If so, STX (and other islands) could really come out well...if they got their sh*t together.
Posted : June 16, 2020 4:53 pm
Un Amore was listed for sale last year and still is. Something was bound to change.
Posted : June 16, 2020 8:19 pm
Did Balter shut down as well?
Posted : June 16, 2020 9:58 pm
sad to hear this, i just discovered their lemon cake
Posted : June 18, 2020 1:56 pm
@jaldeborgh yes balter closed, my daughter spoke with a cook, just couldn't afford it after all this.
Posted : June 18, 2020 5:27 pm
These are only the tip of the iceberg that this economic disaster here in the USVI has affected our small business community.
Posted : June 18, 2020 9:26 pm
As was mentioned in another post, Un Amore was for sale before COVID came along. Its tough to make a go of a restaurant with so few tables. Kat and Frank are skilled restaurateurs. Their MO is to start a restaurant, build up the clientele then sell to a newbie. Un Amore fits that pattern. Personally, I think they'll make a play for the old balter location downtown next. They can pick that up for pennies on the dollar. Watch for it!
Posted : June 19, 2020 8:12 am
@vicanuck Your probably right, i remember seeing it for sale. I was talking to someone today who knows some of the staff and they were totally caught off guard and didn't find out until the news reported it. Says a lot about the owners. I don't know them but from a few people around here that work in the restaurant business, they seem a bit unliked to say the least.
Posted : June 20, 2020 6:09 pm
...they seem a bit unliked to say the least.
I can't disagree.
Posted : June 22, 2020 8:15 am
@daveb722i didnt like their food too much but still sad
Posted : June 23, 2020 9:27 am
@vicanuck Your probably right, i remember seeing it for sale. I was talking to someone today who knows some of the staff and they were totally caught off guard and didn't find out until the news reported it. Says a lot about the owners. I don't know them but from a few people around here that work in the restaurant business, they seem a bit unliked to say the least.
Owners got that PPP loan and paid off all the expenses incurred since Feb 15 from their admittedly bad business plan. Then as soon as the loan became a grant after 8 weeks owners walked.
Kept staff on payroll for 56 days instead of being counted in unemployment stats. Hopefully the landlord got paid, too.
Posted : June 23, 2020 10:25 am
@daveb722i didnt like their food too much but still sad
Agreed, the food was just ok, but I know a lot of people who really liked it. Always sad to see a well-known business close.
I hope something great opens where Balters was. It's one of the physically nicest restaurants on the island, but it was not great food imo. My favorite is Zion by far!
Posted : June 27, 2020 11:46 pm
