Cafe Zuppina, the popular Mediterranean eatery, moved to downtown Lakeland with much fanfare in April, but quietly closed “until further notice” in late October.
“We hope to see you all again soon,” said a Nov. 3 message on their Facebook page that is no longer visible. “Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for being a part of our community.”
Lakeland Downtown Development Agency Director Julie Townsend said the restaurant is permanently closed.
A few weeks before Cafe Zuppina closed, co-owner Berna Nar confided to a fellow downtown restaurateur that the new location wasn’t attracting many former regulars from their previous south Lakeland location and that they had yet to develop a downtown following to support their new, much-larger space.
Early days: The eatery had started small more than 15 years ago at Courtyard Lakeland on South Florida Avenue in a space seating around 25 with limited hours and a small staff.
The Turkish-inspired restaurant grew in popularity, known for its Brussels sprouts, home-cooked meals and vegetable platter.
Owners Berna and Erkan Nar expanded their business in 2018, opening a market of Mediterranean foods and a Turkish coffee house with gelato across a small courtyard from the restaurant.
The next year, Cafe Zuppina’s owners were named the People’s Choice winner at Catapult Lakeland‘s first Lakeland Entrepreneur Awards.
But like many restaurants, Cafe Zuppina struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, switching to a carry-out style. Even after other restaurants opened back up for sit-down service, Cafe Zuppina kept their original small space closed; customers could order carry-out and eat it in the marketplace cafe, if they wished.
Lawsuit: Legal troubles arose last year. Courtyard Lakeland, the owner of the South Florida Avenue property where they had been located for 15 years, successfully sued owners Erkan and Berna Nar in October 2023 for $278,850, including back rent that they had not paid in at least seven months, attorney’s fees and court costs.
The Nars, who are both in their 60s, owned the eatery under the name Turquoise Trading. They leased four adjacent properties from Courtyard Lakeland, which sued on Oct. 26, 2023, for non-payment and to evict Cafe Zuppina.
According to court documents, the Nars began defaulting in June 2023.
Judge Reinaldo Ojeda’s final order of payment to Courtyard Lakeland came on Feb. 1 – more than a week after Cafe Zuppina announced on Facebook that they were moving locations.
Two phone numbers listed for Erkan Nar were disconnected. He did not answer questions emailed to him and to his attorney, Nicholas Merriweather.
A hand-lettered paper sign in the window of the Tennessee Avenue location simply reads “Closed until further notice.” Several bills were seen lying on the floor just inside the door.
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