SAUGUS — Saugonians are mourning the loss of yet another local restaurant following the close of La Vita Mia late last month after 23 years of business.
A popular joint known for its classic Italian fare, fans of the Saugus staple are remembering nearly 2½ decades of La Vita Mia’s warm hospitality and family-friendly atmosphere.
“‘Where everyone knows your name’ absolutely sums up Chef Danny, his wife, Lisa, and the rest of the staff at La Vita Mia,” said long-time patron Elizabeth Marchese. “When you walked in, it was like coming home. Amazing food always accompanied by a friendly face (and) a welcoming hug.”
La Vita Mia is just the latest in a string of local restaurants to be hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, Saugus alone lost the Midwest Grill and the Tumble Inn Diner, among others.
In a lengthy post on Facebook where he announced the restaurant’s final night would be New Year’s Eve, owner Danny DeSimone penned a final, heartfelt goodbye to La Vita Mia’s hundreds of loyal clientele.
“After much thought and (many) tough conversations, we have made the unfortunate decision to close La Vita Mia,” DeSimone wrote. “This past year has been tough for everyone, especially small businesses like ours. It breaks our hearts to have to do this, but we feel it is the right thing to do at this time.”
He recalled how La Vita Mia opened at its first location in Village Park Plaza 1997 with a mere 14 tables before moving to its Hamilton Street location across from the Public Safety Building in 2009. By then, the restaurant had more than doubled its capacity.
“We are so lucky to have had each of you in our company. At La Vita Mia, you met old friends, made new ones, celebrated birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, new babies, and even celebrated the lives of those you lost,” DeSimone said. “Some of you were regulars, coming in once, twice, maybe even three times a week. Others came once a month or maybe just on special occasions.
“No matter how often you came, we were happy to serve you delicious food and drinks each time. We will miss seeing you, talking with you, and hearing about the latest in your lives.”
Selectwoman Debra Panetta said she and her family had enjoyed countless celebrations at the restaurant over the years, adding that her favorite La Vita Mia dish was the chicken, potatoes, and vinegar peppers.
“I am terribly sad to see this excellent Italian food restaurant close,” Panetta said. “La Vita Mia was located down the street from my house, so I always thought how lucky we were to have such an outstanding restaurant, with great service, so close to home. ”
Marchese also recalled years of family gatherings and special occasions spent in the restaurant’s inviting atmosphere.
“Most of our birthdays, graduations, sports, banquets, election nights have been shared and made all the more special with Chef Danny and his staff,” she said. “Most every loving family memory includes La Vita and I wouldn’t have it any other way. (They) will be dearly missed in this town.”
DeSimone finished by thanking his staff and family for their years of devotion to the business and encouraged patrons to continue to share memories and photos from their time at the restaurant.
“Although our parents are not here today, we know they are watching over us and are proud … When you ate at La Vita Mia, you were surrounded by old photos of our family. We wanted you to feel like you were in our home, having dinner with family,” he said. “To our employees, past and present, we would not have made it this far without you. You came to work in snowstorms, on Saturdays, and sometimes on Sundays. Your hard work and dedication to our family business did not go unnoticed.
“Even during these past nine months, when things were tough, you stepped up and came to work with a (masked) smile, ready to work. We wish you the best (in) your future endeavors.
“Once again, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.”
Elyse Carmosino can be reached at ecarmosino@itemlive.com.
