CLEVELAND — The former home to one of Cleveland's most beloved restaurants is apparently about to have a new owner.
Local artist Giancarlo Calicchia confirms to 3News he has an agreement in place to purchase the Sokolowski's University Inn property in Tremont. The deal still has to be finalized, but Calicchia tells us the completion of that process is "imminent" and should come within the next 30-40 days.
First opened in 1923, Sokolowski's quickly became a community staple, known for its Polish and Eastern European favorites like salisbury steak, chicken paprikash, stuffed cabbage, and its signature pierogi. It won multiple awards for its food, including the 2014 James Beard "American Classics" Award.
But the location ran into trouble in March of 2020, when it was forced to close due to COVID-19 concerns. Seven months later, the Sokolowski family announced it would permanently shut the restaurant down and look for a new buyer, citing not just the pandemic but a desire to "enjoy the fruits of our labor."
"We firmly believe that there is going to be a significant amount of interest in the iconic location," owners Bernie, Mary, and Mike Sokolowski said at the time. "Our hope is that there is a buyer that will be eager to continue to use this landmark property in a form that does justice to its past."
Those hope appear to have been answered in the form of Calicchia, a native of Italy who became close friends with the Sokolowskis when he first came to Cleveland in the mid-1980s.
Now also based in Tremont, Calicchia has gained both local an international fame for his paintings and sculptures, with numerous examples of his work being featured at Kent State University.
When speaking to 3News, Calicchia acknowledged it was somewhat emotional to be purchasing such an iconic location from a "great family" like the Sokolowskis. However, he is not yet sure exactly what he will do with the property, and emphasized there are some "major issues" structurally that will have to be fixed.
Regardless of what becomes of Sokolowski's, Calicchia added he believes Clevelanders will be "very interested" to see what's next. Exact terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
