Downtown Restaurant to Add New Wine Bar

Less than three months after the former Paradiza Boutique closed on Penhallow Street, its next door neighbor, Ristorante Massimo, now plans to add a new wine bar by expanding into the former gift store's space.

On Tuesday afternoon, crews were busy removing debris and gutting the walls that will allow restaurant owner Massimo Morgia to create a staircase from Ristorante Massimo on the lower level of Penhallow Street to the former gift store.

According to the permit issued by the city Building Inspector's office, Morgia is investing nearly $45,000 to create the new wine bar. The building permit was issued on April 5. Anthony Graziano G. Revo Trust is listed as the owner of the building where Paradiza Boutique was located.

Attempts to reach Morgia for comment to find out when he hopes to have the new wine bar open and how many people it will seat on Tuesday were unsuccessful.

The former Paradiza Boutique closed its doors in January after serving its loyal following of customers for more than 20 years.