It’s the end of an era. 

Bona Italian, a longtime stalwart on Wilton Drive, is closed.

The news was announced Dec. 16 on the restaurant’s social media. The statement read, in part, “After eight years, we have made the hard decision to move onto the next chapter of our lives.”

Former co-owner Glen Weinzimer said this is a quality of life decision.

“The business is hard and the hours exhausting,” he said. “It was important for our health that we make a change and enjoy life a little more.”

The new owner is Dominic Caruso of Camille’s Italian Restaurant (formerly Cucina Caruso) in Oakland Park. He plans to reopen Bona on Jan. 2, 2025, as Dom Caruso’s.

He said he plans to tweek the menu and start a happy hour featuring tapas menu featuring a five-appetizer deal for $29.99.

Bona’s was a popular spot and the former owners were very active in the operations. They rebranded the bar area as Appertivo and booked local entertainment running from musicians to poets. Caruso says he plans to expand programming for that room.

The restaurant has been a community gathering spot for years, with longtime, incredibly friendly staff that knew everyone’s name and order. They will be offered a chance to meet with Caruso to talk about continued employment.

“Mark and I are grateful to our community and to our amazing team,” Weinzimer said.

Weinzimer is a longtime community activist. He ran The SMART Ride for 20 years, raising more than $16 million for local HIV/AIDS organizations. The final ride was Nov. 2023.

Bona also held “Give Back Mondays” where 10% of proceeds went to a different nonprofit each week.

Running a massive fundraiser and a restaurant is doubly exhausting. Now Weinzimer hopes to focus on himself for a little while.

“Go to concerts and fundraisers and social gatherings and cooking at home,” he said.