07/25/2025
Dear Friends, Family, and Loyal Customers,
After many unforgettable years of serving our community, we are sharing some bittersweet news: Don’s Italian will be closing its doors, Sunday July 27th, as Taki & Valerie step into a well-earned retirement.
This journey began in 1986, when Don & Nitsa moved to Rutherford County and opened Dockside, a restaurant that quickly became a local favorite. In 1991, they opened the first Don’s in Rutherfordton, laying the foundation for something truly special — a place where good food and community came together. On February 2nd, 2016, Don’s Italian reopened under the care of their daughter and son-in-law, continuing the tradition of warm hospitality, homemade recipes, and the joy of gathering around the table.
Since then, we’ve been honored to serve so many of you — not just as customers, but as friends and family. We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, first dates, and normal week nights that turned into memories.
To our incredible employees — you are family. Your dedication, warmth, and hard work made Don’s what it was, and we are forever grateful.
None of this would have been possible without our team, our amazing community, and the unwavering support we’ve felt every single day.
From the bottom of our hearts: thank you. Thank you for the laughs, the loyalty, the kind words, and the shared meals. Thank you for being part of this chapter in our lives and letting us be part of yours.
Though the doors may be closing, the memories made here will last forever. And wherever life takes us next, Don’s spirit — and the legacy of Don & Nitsa — will live on in every dish shared, every story told, and every friendship made within these walls.
With love and gratitude,
The Don’s Italian Family
