Q: Sad to see Napoli on the Bay Pizzeria closing at Crayton Cove. We always loved it. — Toni Falato Sherman, Naples
A: Although the original location of Napoli on the Bay Pizzeria is closing this weekend after operating for more than three decades at Crayton Cove in Old Naples, expect two more Naples locations for the local pizzeria to open in May.
The longtime pizza place at 820 12th Ave. S. will be open as usual through Sunday, said owner Telni “Tony” Brito. “Sunday at 9 p.m. is the last call, the last for everything,” Brito said.
Neapolitan Enterprises is redeveloping the waterfront parcel next to the City Dock for a new marina project, which necessitated the closing of businesses in the multitenant building on the property. For decades, that original spot was the only location for Napoli on the Bay, but Brito has grown the local brand to seven other area locations since he bought the business in 2013.
Shortly after relocating to Naples from New Jersey in the early ‘90s, Mike and Ida Longo bought the original Napoli on the Bay, which quickly rose in popularity among local residents to be one of the top pizzerias in the area. Two years after Mr. Longo died, the family sold the business to Brito, who was one of the pizzeria’s employees.
Not only does Brito plan to open a new Naples location in early May at the former Mama Mia’s pizzeria space next to Skyline Chili at U.S. 41 and Seventh Avenue North, he also recently took over the hurricane-damaged space of the former 3rd Street Cafe next to 7-Eleven on Third Street South in Old Naples. Brito plans to open another Napoli there in mid-May.
Brito also has another venture already making progress in the industrial park area north of Pine Ridge Road in North Naples. “I’m working on a commissary kitchen/production/lunch business that I’m going to be opening relatively soon,” he said.
Baci expands
A new location for Baci Pizza opened Monday off Immokalee Road in North Naples. Owner Francesco Garofalo launched his first location in 2014 on U.S. 41 in East Naples and his second about four years in Venice. His latest is in the Town Market across from Gulf Coast High School.
The new Baci, pronounced BAH-chee, the Italian word for “kisses,” replaced space vacated by a Subway sandwich shop and Cuban grill. It joins a longtime assemblage of eclectic businesses such as a post office, dry cleaners, convenience store, car wash and a Shell gas station in a one-stop shop at 7770 Preserve Lane.
Expect Italian-American cuisine with roots in Brooklyn, New York, and Naples, Italy. “I was born in Italy,” Garofalo said. “My parents immigrated when I was 10 years old. That’s when I started making pizzas with my uncle. Since then, I’ve owned 19 stores.”
He sold everything in New York and planned to retire here in Naples, but he just couldn’t walk away from the restaurant business. “I just like what I do,” Garofalo said. “I like what I do.” 
Grandma Pizza, made with homemade mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and olive oil, is one of the top-sellers at Baci, which has a full menu.
“It’s going to have pizza, subs and all the pastas that we’re known for such as manicotti, stuffed shells, ravioli and lasagna,” Garofalo said. “We are going to have our famous Philly cheesesteak and we are going to bring back the Italian hot dog sub. It’s made with peppers and onions and potatoes with mustard on the bottom and ketchup on top.”
Baci will have pizza slices all day, too. “I think it’s going to be a perfect location for pizza,” Garofalo said. “All-day-long slices, garlic knots, spinach rolls, meatball rolls.”
Baci is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. A few tables are available to dine in, but Garofalo expects Baci’s business to be mostly take-out. Delivery is available through DoorDash online.
Garofalo also plans to create an Italian bakery in the adjacent space that formerly was The French Baguette and Edy’s ice cream at Town Market.
“We are going to try to make all the Italian pastries and Italian cakes, espressos, cappuccinos, and we’re also thinking about baking homemade Italian breads,” he said. “But that’s not going to happen until four or five months from now.” 
Columbus-style pizza
Q: I haven’t been able to find any updates on when Donatos Pizza is going to open up down south on Old 41 and 41. — Bill Hamilton, Bonita Springs
A: Donatos Pizza abandoned plans for the North Naples corner of Tamiami Trail North and Old 41 Road, but the Ohio-based chain known for Columbus-style pizzas with trademarked Edge to Edge toppings still plans to open pizzerias in the region.
Jeff Baldwin, vice president of development and franchising for Donatos, said the company is working on more than one location on the “north side of town.”
“Still very excited to open Donatos in the area,” Baldwin said. “We should have news to report next month or so on a location, but I expect we will open in late 2023.”
Donatos and its franchise partners operate more than 170 restaurants in 12 states in the Midwest and South. Multiple franchise groups are planning stores in Southwest Florida because it’s a large territory, Baldwin said.
Another longtime local pizzeria specializing in Columbus-style pizza with pepperoni covering every inch of the pie also plans to return to the regional market after its pizzeria on Bonita Beach Road was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. Expect details soon about Gatsby’s Pizza resurfacing this summer with new owners in a new location in Bonita Springs.
Another Ohio-based pizza chain plans a couple of area locations this summer. Romeo’s Pizza, founded in 2001 in northeast Ohio, is replacing the Clean Juice organic juice bars that closed earlier this year in North Naples and Estero. Area locations for Romeo’s are planned in the Sutton Place retail strip near the Regal cinema on Naples Boulevard and in The Shoppes at University Highlands, a retail strip off Ben Hill Griffin Parkway just north of Miramar Outlets. The chain has two other locations in Florida, both near Tampa.
More new options
Q: Any info on Tony’s N.Y. Pizza in Berkshire plaza? — Pat Sherry, East Naples
A: Tony’s N.Y. Pizza, another local pizzeria in expansion mode, opened Tuesday in Berkshire Commons on the northwest corner of Santa Barbara Boulevard and Radio Road in East Naples.
Tony’s owner, Antonio de La Cruz, said the Berkshire location has the same menu as his Marco Island location. Tony’s New York-style specialty pizzas are named for boroughs and locations in the Big Apple, such as The Brooklyn Meat, The Staten Island, The Manhattan Deluxe, The Madison Square Garden, The Bronx, The Queens White, The Park Avenue Margherita and The Broadway BBQ Chicken.
Another New York-themed pizzeria has an interesting twist. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria chain, known for traditional pizzas from its signature coal-fired brick oven, has a limited offer through June 6 for a NY Hot Dog Pizza. The white pizza is topped with all-beef hot dog slices, red onions, sauerkraut and stone-ground mustard. Grimaldi’s has a Southwest Florida location at Bell Tower in south Fort Myers.
In March, some of the folks behind Marsala Pizza in Estero took over Dolce Rita’s location at the Publix-anchored Bonita Grande Crossing on Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. Expect a name change there soon from its new owners, Bonita residents Juan Alvarez and Mark Marsala. Dolce Rita’s will be renamed Bella Luna Pizza & Pasta in the next couple of months.
The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com.
