Cavo Lounge, a local restaurant and bar especially known for its upbeat nightlife and live music, permanently closed April 25 at Mercato in North Naples.
“We only had a year left on the lease, but times are tough,” said Steve Tallides, who co-owned Cavo with Lawrence Cerullo and Ari Tsatsaronis.
The significant cost of doing business, especially in the slow off-season, coupled with increased competition, made it difficult to survive, said Tallides, who notes that the lounge’s lease had risen to about $70,000 per month.
The interior of Cavo Lounge at Mercato featured a vibrant nightlife setting with lounge seating, lighting effects and live music.
“We only had a year left, so we weren’t going to renew it at a crazy, exorbitant number,” he said. “To be quite honest, we didn’t make any money for the past few years anyway. We just tried to survive and keep it open, keep our employees happy, but there’s only so much you can do.”
Nevertheless, Tallides said he loved the experience and being part of Cavo, which launched Aug. 31, 2015, at 9108 Strada Place, Suite 14120, as part of a trendy entertainment trifecta in Mercato that included Blue Martini and Burn by Rocky Patel. Patel previously was a partner in Cavo when it opened.
A guest looks over the menu at Cavo Lounge, which operated for more than a decade at Mercato.
“It was an absolute pleasure and an honor opening this place over here. It was fantastic,” Tallides said. “We met such wonderful people, and I wouldn’t trade it for nothing. We had a good 11-year run. In this business, 11 years is pretty good.”
The swanky gastropub was popular for its late-night vibe and dancing, craft cocktails and a globally influenced menu of small plates.
Guests gather at the bar at Cavo Lounge, which was known for its late-night energy and social atmosphere.
“When we first opened our doors in Naples, Florida, we had a dream, and you, our incredible community, made that dream bigger than we ever imagined. From the very beginning, when Cavo was just getting started, you showed up. Night after night, year after year, you made these walls come alive,” reads part of a “love letter” to patrons that Cavo posted this week on its Instagram social media account. “To our loyal regulars who never missed a beat. You know who you are, thank you. You weren't just customers. You were family. You were the heartbeat of everything we built here.”
Cavo Lounge served a globally inspired menu of small plates alongside craft cocktails during its run in North Naples.
At 6,580 square feet under air, Cavo was one of the larger dining spots in Mercato. A prominent patio area brought its overall size closer to 8,500 square feet.
On behalf of the company responsible for managing and marketing Mercato, Jamestown's manager of communications wishes Cavo's owners success in their next chapter, but Jamestown does not have an announcement yet about which business or type of business might take over that large space at Mercato.
"Lease negotiations are underway for the space," Lauren Ness said.
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