Popular Coast pizza joint, wine bar next door close suddenly. They could reopen soon
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Tony’s Brick Oven Pizzeria and Sea Grapes Wine Cafe in Gulfport have closed.
- Both businesses are listed for sale after ownership changes in early 2024.
- Founding operator Tony Swigris seeks a buyer to maintain local pizza tradition.
A neighboring pizza parlor and wine bar in downtown Gulfport are closed and the businesses are for sale.
A sign posted this week on the doors of Tony’s Brick Oven Pizzeria at 2417 14th St. in Gulfport said the restaurant is temporarily closed and is available for resale.
Sea Grapes Wine Cafe next door at 2419 14th St. had the same owners and also has closed.
Tony Swigris, who operated Tony’s Pizza for years, posted his contact information on the door of the restaurant.
Late Friday he said a deal is already in place for local people to operate the restaurant and wine bar.
The new owners are interested in using his recipes, Swigris said, and also will lease Sea Grapes.
“They’re going to meet with the landlords,” he said, and the businesses could open again in as few as three weeks.
In March 2024, Kelly and Justin Cuevas announced they were the new owners of the two businesses.
Tony’s last Facebook post on May 24 invited customers to enjoy some pizza over Memorial Day Weekend. A May 22 post said the restaurant was hiring cooks.
The restaurant specialized in brick oven pizzas along with a variety of Italian salads, sandwiches and pasta.
In a 2020 article in the Sun Herald, Swigris talked about how he added French dressing — also known by the brand name of Catalina — to his menu as a pizza topper.
Just two months after opening, the demand was so great that he began making his own signature dressing from scratch, using olive oil, vinegar, tomato sauce and spices.
“With pizza, it’s a Gulf Coast tradition,” he said.
Now he’s working to close the deal for someone to buy the restaurant and wine bar and carry on the traditions.
This story was originally published June 6, 2025 at 4:28 PM.
