Tonys Pizza in Gulfport already has new owners. Here’s what they have planned
A week after Tony’s Brick Oven Pizzeria and Sea Grapes Wine Cafe suddenly closed in downtown Gulfport, the businesses have new owners and will reopen this summer.
“We’re trying to get open by the Fourth of July,” said Frank Lombardi-Benson.
If that name sounds familiar, he and husband Timothy Lombardi-Benson already own and operate Empanola restaurants in Biloxi, D’Iberville and Ocean Springs.
They also purchased Pisano’s Pizza in Biloxi last August and moved it to Howard Avenue with Empanola.
He said they’ve partnered with Daniel and Savannah Caldwell to buy Tony’s Pizzeria and the neighboring wine bar from Tony Swigris, who operated Tony’s Pizza for years before first selling the business in 2024.
Swigris will be at the restaurant overseeing the kitchen a few days a week, Lombardi-Benson said.
Working to reopen
Tony’s will expand into what was Grapes Wine Cafe next door and it will be open for lunch and dinner. The owners are applying for a liquor license.
“Tony’s Brick oven Pizzeria is getting a huge facelift,” they said on Facebook, including details like new kitchen equipment and upgrades being planned throughout the restaurant.
One person commented: “A few days ago, I heard the news that Tony’s was closed for good. I didn’t want to believe what I was being told. Now, I am reading you are renovating and am so happy to hear this news! We will be back as soon as Tony’s has reopened.”
Favorite recipes return
Swigris told the Sun Herald he got almost immediate response when he closed the restaurant and offered the business for re-sale. The new owners are local, he said at the time, and are interested in using his recipes.
“Our menu will be enhanced and the quality recipes that Mr. Tony created will be brought back,” the new owners said.
The building at 2417 14th St. in Gulfport also has banquet space upstairs. It also will be renovated and reservations will be accepted for weddings, meetings and parties as Tony’s returns to the downtown.
This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 12:32 PM.
