Several readers reached out to Ocala-News.com to share their thoughts on the recent closure of a pizza restaurant that served customers in the heart of Belleview for more than 50 years.
Earlier this week, Belleview Pizza & Italian Restaurant permanently closed its location at 5428 SE Abshier Boulevard in Belleview. A sign was seen on the front of the establishment notifying the public of the closure.
The business was owned by David and Lacy Manserra, who purchased it in the early nineties from the original owners, John and Sylvia Leo. Founded in the seventies by the Leos, the couple retired from the restaurant business in 1995. John passed away in 2010 at the age of 82, while Sylvia passed away in 2016 at the age of 85.
In a social media post on Wednesday, June 5, Belleview Pizza & Italian Restaurant extended its heartfelt thanks to everyone in the Belleview and Ocala communities who supported the business throughout the past 50-plus years.
“Your loyalty and love for our restaurant have meant the world to us,” stated Belleview Pizza & Italian Restaurant. “Thank you for being a part of our journey.”
After learning of the closure, several readers submitted letters to Ocala-News.com to share their memories of the Italian restaurant:
“We were very saddened and surprised at the closing of the restaurant. We tried to go about once a week, the best food around. Friendly atmosphere. It will certainly be missed by many.” –David and Virgie Buhler (Summerfield)
“My dad, Franklin Giasson, built that building and had his real estate office in it when he leased Belleview Pizza to John and Sylvia. I worked there then. Then, when new owners took over, they took over the spot the real estate office was in. Sorry to see the history go.” – Jackie Giasson (Lady Lake)
“My husband and I are so sad to see Belleview Pizza close. We lived in Belleview for 3 years. We went every Friday night and sometimes in-between. It was always packed. We knew the staff and they knew us. Since we moved out of Belleview, we have still made the trek back up there just to get their pizza. Belleview pizza will surely be missed.” – Carla Calabretta (Lake Panasoffkee)
“1990s…We gathered many, if not most Fridays at my grandparents (Rona and Robert Westcott) house on Smith Lake. I vividly remember my Nana on the phone confirming the house number before ordering our pizzas ‘well baked and oily.’ I remember it being very good pizza. Can’t say I’ve had it since those years, but sad to see it go. My mom (Tammy Westcott, passed 5/12/2024) would have been sad to see it go as well.” – Sarah Josey (Ocala)
“Belleview Pizza was our favorite Italian restaurant for many reasons. They had recipes not found elsewhere, at a reasonable price. Tammy was an excellent server. We hope they reconsider and open back up. The six members of our family, who ate there almost weekly, are extremely disappointed in such a fine restaurant closing.” – James Meyer (Ocala)
“After only 25 years in the area, I knew of no better place with homestyle Italian food. Sad day for Belleview.” – Frank Medina (Ocala)
No additional details were provided regarding Belleview Pizza & Italian Restaurant’s closure, and correspondence to the restaurant was not responded to before the publication of this story.
The closure of the business comes just weeks after another popular restaurant in Belleview, Todd and Shelly’s Cafe & Pub, moved from its local establishment to a new location in Ocala.
On Tuesday, J Rocks Pizzeria also announced the permanent closure of its southwest Ocala location.
Do you have memories from your meals and experiences at Belleview Pizza & Italian Restaurant? Share them in a comment or a letter to the editor.