Nov. 2012: Cappetto’s gift cards honored at 3 El Paso Italian restaurants

(Nov. 2012 story)

Three El Paso Italian eateries announced they will begin accepting Cappetto’s gift cards.

Cappetto’s Italian Restaurant abruptly closed mid-October, leaving employees and patrons surprised and disappointed.

The closure fell close to the holiday season, and ABC-7 received numerous complaints from viewers who bought gift cards rendered unusable.

In response to the closure, co-owner of Dominic’s Italian Restaurant Michael John decided something needed to be done.

“I grew up there,” John said in reference to Cappetto’s.

“It was one of my first jobs as a busboy. You know, I mean it’s been a tradition in this town for 50 to 60 years. And when Jaxons and then Cappetto’s closed my heart just dropped, because just like any local restaurant it could happen to any of us at any time,” John added.

John teamed up with the owners of Sorrento and Como’s Italian Restaurants.

Each said they wanted to help the community and Davis family, which has owned Cappetto’s for more than 50 years.

So, the three restaurants devised a plan.

They will honor Cappetto’s gift cards at a flat rate of $20.

Larger denomination gift cards will be dealt with on an individual basis, according to John.

The eateries developed a few guidelines for anyone with a Cappetto’s gift card.

First, they will accept the cards for the next three to four months, but alcohol and gratuity cannot be applied to the cards.

The gift cards will not be accepted on holidays or for special events, and only one card can be used per visit.

Finally the cards cannot be used for take out.

John told ABC-7 in a statement that Edward Davis, owner of Cappetto’s, will honor any unused gift cards when he reopens the restaurant.

ABC-7 tried to contact the Davis family regarding a potential reopen of Cappetto’s, but they did not respond.

(Nov. 2012 story)