The owner of a new restaurant under construction in east Ocala was able to salvage an iconic sign along East Silver Springs Boulevard that belonged to Lorito’s Italian Kitchen, which closed in 2023 after five decades in business.
Last week, Franco’s Italian Restaurant made the announcement that the business, which is located at 1801 E Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, was able to save the wine bottle sign that is positioned close to the roadway.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you to the community of Ocala for helping save the wine bottle sign. We couldn’t have done it without you,” reads a statement issued by the new restaurant.
Located within the Ocala Center shopping plaza, the new restaurant is owned by Franco Esposito.
The owner says he was previously told by city officials that the sign was too close to the roadway and would have to be removed.
In the weeks that followed, Esposito shared his story and members of the community stepped up and came forward to help.
Esposito made special note of George Altman, “who made it his mission to help us save the sign,” and Brad Butler of Butler Industries “who met all the criteria the city placed on the sign to be able to keep it.”
Last week, local artist Mel Fiorentino began painting the sign. The business shared a photo of the artist working on the sign.
Franco’s Italian Restaurant has plans to open later this Summer.