CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Tito’s Cantina is closing its doors after three years in business.
Former fighter Tito Ortiz said his absence from the restaurant was the main reason for the closure. He hasn’t been at the restaurant as much while recovering from a boating accident that led to neck surgery.
“It’s hard for me. But at the same time, I’ll have a lot more time for my family, a lot more time to coach high school wrestling,” Ortiz said.
Customers said they’ll miss the personal touch Ortiz brought to the restaurant. He was known for greeting fans and making time for everyone who walked through the door.
“Tito was very warm and welcoming to me, even though he had no idea who I was,” Rachel Peters of Fort Myers said.
Carla Accettolla and Jeff Olson were there from the start, even designing the restaurant’s T-shirts. They returned for the final day as people packed the bar for one more autograph and one more drink.
“We’ve believed in it from day one. I mean, we were here. We were invested,” Accettolla said.
“In all honesty, it’s really sad, you know, to see this go,” Accettolla said.
While the restaurant is closing, Ortiz said he’s staying in the area.
“Yeah I’m staying here. I’m not going anywhere. This is home for me.”