El Paso institution Cappetto’s Italian Restaurant closes

After 56 years in El Paso, Cappetto’s Italian Restaurant is closing its doors, the owner announced Friday.

Owner Edward Davis said in a statement issued via a fax Friday, that the restaurant at 2716 Montana will close. ABC-7 has confirmed that as of today, Cappetto’s is already closed.

“We have enjoyed serving the people of this community and sharing special moments,” Davis said in a statement. “Whether it was an engagement, marriage or birth of a child and the many birthday and anniversaries celebrated with us.”

Davis thanked his employees, including those, “who first job was a busser, dishwasher or server and who have become doctors or lawyers or other important roles in the world.”

Davis said he’s embarked on a new project, but did not give further details.

When ABC-7 visited the restaurant, around fifteen employees were sitting outside the back of the establishment.

Employees said they did not know the restaurant was closing.

Instead, they arrived to work to find a note on the door explaining the closure.

Valerie Salazar said she worked at Cappetto’s for over three years.

“I just wish he would have, you know, had the courage to tell us in our faces. You know, I’ve been working here for 3 and a half years and I’ve always arrived to work on time. You know, we were all faithful employees and I think he should have at least had the courtesy to tell us in person,” Salazar said.

David Castaneda only recently began working at Cappetto’s and said he’s disappointed to have to start the job hunt over.

“Upset, angry. I have things to pay. I had plans for the money. Now, I have nothing,” Castaneda said.

The employees said they were a family, and decided to wait outside the business in hopes of seeing a manager or the owner.

Customers who frequented Cappetto’s were also unhappy with the closure.

Veronica Hernandez said she visited the restaurant around three to four times a month.

“Surprised and upset. I’m very sad because it was a very good place, and it makes me very sad,” Hernandez said.

“It’s kind of heartbreaking. After this week with Jaxon’s closing it’s kind of just, what’s next? It just took us back because there really wasn’t a reason given as to why it closed,” Kirstin Perez said.

Perez was a regular at Cappetto’s.

She said she works nearby, and would come to the restaurant for celebrations, like her brother’s birthday.

(Oct. 2012 story)