A Belleview space that previously housed one of the city’s longest-operating restaurants is being transformed into a new medical cannabis dispensary.
Trulieve is currently in the process of converting the former Belleview Pizza and Italian Restaurant at 5428 SE Abshier Boulevard into a new dispensary.
The move revitalizes a space that has sat vacant since the former Italian restaurant shuttered its doors in June 2024.
According to city records, Trulieve has been issued several permits over the past eight weeks to facilitate the transition. Following an initial demolition permit, the company is now moving forward with an extensive interior remodel.
The scope of work includes the construction of new partitions, doors, millwork, and ceilings, as well as the installation of ADA-compliant restrooms. The upgrades also cover all associated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work, including the installation of a backflow preventer, according to county records.
Exterior work is also underway to update the building’s signage and branding to match the company’s signature aesthetic.
The arrival of the dispensary closes a chapter on a property that held a 50-year legacy in the Belleview community.
Originally founded in the 1970s by John and Sylvia Leo, the Italian restaurant was a local fixture for decades. The Leos operated the business until their retirement in the mid-1990s, at which point it was purchased by David and Lacy Manserra.
The Manserras operated the restaurant for over 30 years before ultimately hanging a “Closed Permanently” sign on the front door nearly two years ago. At the time of the closure, the owners thanked the community for “50 Great Years.”
In the 20+ months since Belleview Pizza & Italian Restaurant closed its location, the commercial landscape in the heart of the city has shifted dramatically. In fact, Ellianos, 7 Brew Coffee, Chipotle, and Starbucks have all opened new locations in Belleview within a mile of the new medical marijuana dispensary over that time.
Around the same time that the restaurant closed, another local favorite, Todd and Shelly’s Cafe and Pub, also vacated its Belleview location to move to Ocala. Similarly, Ms. Steve’s Ice Cream officially closed its doors in early 2025. That site was eventually replaced by Manny’s Ice Cream Shop.
The new Trulieve location will join the company’s existing footprint in the region, which includes nearby dispensaries in Summerfield, Lady Lake, and Ocala. An official opening date for the Belleview branch has not yet been announced as construction continues.
What are your thoughts on the business changing hands? Share your comments below or, if you have more to say on the topic, write a letter to the editor.