The owners of Bicaro's Ristoranté Bar and Forno in Shepparton have listed the business for sale after 10 years at the helm.
Sam Scarpari and Gina Sozzi worked tirelessly both owning and managing the restaurant to build it into their own.
Now, feeling like they have achieved what they set out to with the business, they hope to take a step back.
“Hospitality is hard at the best of times and then you consider the three years we’ve had with COVID and whatnot — it’s the economics and finding staff, but also just the mental pressure to perform,” Mr Scarpari said.
“Fortunately we were able to get through COVID no worries at all, but it does take its toll.”
While hosting their fair share of functions at the venue — other families’ celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions — Mr Scarpari and Ms Sozzi are looking forward to being able to spend more time with their own family.
For Ms Sozzi in particular, who has 25 years working in hospitality under her belt, it’s time to “have a breather”.
“We just miss the weekends with family and being at home at night — one of us is here every day or both of us, and that’s what makes it a good family business,” she said.
“When we purchased it as Bicaro’s our goal was to provide a venue that people would feel comfortable coming to, but more importantly, coming back,” Mr Scarpari said.
“To offer the whole package, with the food, wine and atmosphere, so people walk away feeling impressed — I think we achieved that.”
A few weeks ago the restaurant hosted Richmond Football Club while the Tigers were in town and in 2022 it was featured in Robert ‘Dippa’ DiPierdomenico’s travel show.
But it is the customers that mean the most.
“For us the proudest thing is the loyalty,” Mr Scarpari said.
“Being able to retain and build a loyalty base based on the way Gina and I run it; that’s head and shoulders above any celebrities because it basically builds the foundation of our business.”
The couple has also used the business to support the local community, sponsoring local sport clubs, donating meals to FoodShare and cooking food for those at the incident control centre during the floods.
Looking ahead, Mr Scarpari, who is also a long-time manager at Dan Murphy’s, plans to turn his attention to the wine business.
“For me, the wine business has always been the passion, it was just fortunate enough we were able to get the restaurant and collaborate the two businesses together,” he said.
“I’ve got the project, Seraphim Wines, with a new venue in the pipeline.”
The business has been listed for sale with PRO Business Brokers as a pizza and pasta restaurant with full commercial kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven, liquor licence and seating for 90 inside and 60 outside.
The listing is online at www.probusinessbrokers.com.au/property/165/shepparton-vic