SUDDEN SHUTTERS
Classic San Antonio Italian joint loses its sauce after 21 years
Capparelli's on Thousand Oaks is the latest legacy restaurant to throw in the towel.
In what has become a far-too-common occurrence in Alamo City, another legacy has closed its doors. As first spotted by a user of San Antonio Restaurants Facebook group, the Thousand Oaks location of Capparelli’s has shuttered indefinitely. A sign on the door says the decision was made with “great sorrow and regret.” It also states that the business may open doors again one day "should circumstances allow."
Though the founding family is no longer associated with the shuttered outpost, Capparelli’s on Thousand Oaks shared one of the local restaurant scene’s most recognizable names. Inspired by her restaurateur grandparents Gaetano and Rose Capparelli, Gay Caparelli established Caparelli’s on Main in 2001. The brand quickly spread throughout the area, owned both by family members and franchisees.
Although the establishments became synonymous with comforting red-sauce Italian fare, the last five years have proved to be rocky for the various outlets. The Huebner location, run by Gay’s cousin Gina Capparelli, closed in 2019. In November 2023, Gay hit the panic button for the Monte Vista original, asking for support in overcoming “extreme” economic pressures.
Though Capparelli’s on Main appears to have weathered the storm, its namesake was not as lucky. Via the San Antonio Restaurant group’s comments, Gay offered her sympathy.
“It’s a tough time for all restaurants right now,” she wrote. “Food costs are too high and the taxes are astronomical.”
Of course, as is typical of the Facebook forum, there was no small amount of grousing amongst the eulogies. But, for better or worse, locally owned restaurants contribute to the local economy and are imbedded in the neighborhoods they serve.
