Two longstanding restaurants in Berks County will be shutting their doors permanently in March.
Willoughby’s on Park in Wyomissing is slated to have its last day March 14.
“After over a decade of being the premier, fine dining steakhouse in our community, we have made a difficult and bittersweet decision to sell our business to another local family,” owners George and Eleny Zeppos said in a Facebook post.
Mangia! Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria in Mohnton will also be shuttering March 8.
Owner and head chef Giuseppe Folino made the announcement on Facebook with “a heavy, but grateful heart.”
He noted his family is opening a second Café Folino location in Temple.
The Folinos own Folino Estate Winery and Café Folino in Wyomissing.
Willoughby’s
George and Eleny Zeppos resurrected the Willoughby’s brand in 2014, taking up shop in the former TGI Fridays on Park Road.
Wilkoughby’s on Park is less than a mile from the original Willoughby’s, a hot spot in the 1970s and ’80s.
The Zeppos said on Facebook that the decision to close didn’t come easy, but they felt it was best aligned with their future goals.
“Over the years, we have grown to know so many of you and have been blessed to have seen so much joy and laughter within our walls,” the Zeppos said on Facebook. “We have had so many fond memories on Park and can’t thank our community enough for their tremendous support.”
They said they were beyond grateful to the staff and team members who made Willoughby’s a leading restaurant in the area.
Their announcement received hundreds of comments from well-wishers.
Patrons reminisced on birthdays, anniversaries and even proposals at Willoughby’s, and recounted many nights well-spent in culinary bliss.
“Willoughby’s on Park was always a wonderful restaurant for special occasions, or anytime you just wanted to feel special,” one commenter said.
The Zeppos also own Telia Perfect Greek across the street from Willoughby’s at 400 N. Park Road.
They formerly owned the Hitching Post in Bern Township, which closed in 2024 and is being renovated under new ownership.
The Willoughby’s property will soon be reintroduced as TAO Japanese Steakhouse and Bar, the new owners said on Facebook.
They said their vision is to create a premier Japanese steakhouse known for exceptional quality, consistency and hospitality.
“This is not simply a reopening — it is a complete transformation. Our team is elevating every aspect of the experience, with upgraded menus, a more sophisticated Hibachi dining atmosphere, and Japanese Omakase,” TAO Steakhouse said on Facebook.
Omakase, which means “I leave it up to you,” is a Japanese dining style that places guests face-to-face with a chef, usually at a sushi counter. The chef guides the food choices and makes decisions on the next course based on what they think guests will enjoy.
The new owners thanked the Zeppos for the opportunity.
“You have built an incredible legacy here and we have some very big shoes to fill,” TAO said.
Mangia!
Mangia opened 16 years ago as a simple idea, but grew into something far more meaningful, owner Giuseppe Folino said on Facebook.
“This restaurant was never just a business — it was a community,” Folino said in the post thanking customers. “Your support, loyalty, conversations, laughter and shared meals have meant more to me than we can properly put into words.”
Folino said he was deeply grateful to everyone who trusted Mangia! with their time and memories.
“I am incredibly proud of what we built together and deeply grateful to everyone who walked through our doors, brought friends and family, celebrated milestones with us, or simply stopped by for a comforting meal,” Folino said
The spot is known for its quality pizza and hefty servings of pasta prepared tableside and mixed in two massive cheese wheels.
Patrons mourned the loss of their favorite Italian fare in comments on Facebook.
“This is where my son (now 15) tasted his first raviolis,” one patron said.
They accompanied their post with a picture — a child grinning ear to ear above a giant empty bowl, his face painted with pasta sauce.
Folino told MediaNews Group that he made the difficult decision to close Mangia! since he plans to work at the second Café Folino and would no longer be able to manage both locations.
He said he and his wife and co-owner, Anna Folino, have been in the restaurant business for 40 years.
“We dedicated pretty much half our life to the restaurant business,” Folino said. “We sacrificed a lot…We want to enjoy life a little bit.”
He said when the first Café Folino opened two years ago, he was working 15 hour days, splitting his time between there and Mangia!, until his son took over the café.
“I don’t have any other sons that want to take over (a restaurant),” Folino said. “We didn’t want to let Mangia! go…but we had to make a (hard) decision.”
The new Café Folino will be at the former Oliver’s Place sandwich shop at 1007 Mount Laurel Road in Temple.
Folino noted fans of the restaurant can look forward to Mangia! Night at Café Folino in Wyomissing.
He said he plans to hold the night once a month, and bring back customer favorites from Mangia!, like the tableside cheese wheel.
Folino also plans to offer catering services for events at Café Folino or private locations.
Mangia! gift certificates are redeemable at Café Folino, Folino said.
As for the Mangia! property, Folino said he would likely be looking to lease it out.
Mangia! at 322 E. Wyomissing Ave. in Mohnton will be closing effective March 8. (BILL UHRICH/MEDIANEWS GROUP)