After 38 years in business, Cassano’s in San Clemente, one of the beach enclave’s first delivery pizzerias when it opened in 1986, announced its closure.
“Our family would like to announce that our parents Dave Cassano and Sharon Torres are officially retiring,” employee and family member Tiffany Cassano wrote on the restaurant’s Facebook page on Thursday, May 9. “Change is never easy and sometimes rumors circulate so we want to be clear with the community that business is good and the El Camino Plaza landlord has been great. This is a positive retirement decision for two people that have worked their tails off in local restaurants for 45 years.”
When Cassano’s opened in 1986 at its first location Avenida Victoria it was one of only three pizza-delivery places in the beach enclave. Over the years, the owners expanded the menu by adding pastas, sandwiches and salads, before relocating the business to El Camino Plaza.
Cassano’s held a couple of fundraisers in 2017 for shark-bite victim and avid surfer Leeanne Ericson, which raised thousands of dollars.
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Torres and Cassano, who grew up in Chicago, where they met and exchanged vows, moved to Mission Viejo in 1976. After owning and operating several eateries in South County, the couple moved to San Clemente to open Cassano’s. Although the entrepreneurial couple divorced years later, the two remained amicable co-owners of Cassano’s, with there generations of their family working at their San Clemente restaurant over the years.
“It’s bittersweet to say goodbye but that feeling is superseded by gratitude knowing that our parents can finally retire on their own terms,” Tiffany Cassano wrote.
Cassano’s is expected to serve its final slice later in June.
The owners of Station Craft Brewery, which has a location in nearby Dana Point, will take over the space once Cassano’s closes its doors. Nick Herrera, food and beverage director at Station Craft Brewery, confirmed the expansion into San Clemente. He noted that the new Station, which will be more of a taproom than a brewery, will also include pizza.
“They are mindful of the community vibe we have worked hard to create and nourish,” noted Tiffany Cassano in her social media announcement regarding Station Craft Brewery’s foray into San Clemente. “We believe it will be a good fit and sure hope our customers will support and welcome them.”
