Sicily Mare Pizzeria & Gelato closes doors at Aldinga Beach

The last surviving pizzeria in the Sicily chain of restaurants has closed its doors at Aldinga Beach after falling into the hands of liquidators.

Pizza chef Filip Daher and Sicily Mare Pizzeria owner Cono Gorgone at Sicily Mare Pizzeria in Aldinga Beach. Picture: Tom Huntley

The last surviving pizzeria in the Sicily chain of restaurants has closed its doors at Aldinga Beach after falling into the hands of liquidators.

Opening in 2020, Sicily Mare Pizzeria & Gelato was one of four pizzerias run by Adelaide hospitality identity Cono Gorgone under the Sicily umbrella.

However the pizzeria, on the Esplanade, closed its doors last week before liquidator Nathan Schwarz from Ascot Lane Financial Services was appointed to wind up the operations.

The first Sicily pizzeria opened on Rundle St in 2017, but closed down last August following a dispute with landlord Pelligra Group, which is planning to develop a high-rise luxury apartment tower on the site.

Customer with pizza and beer at Sicily Mare, Aldinga Beach

Federal Court filings show that Pelligra recently lodged a creditor’s petition with the court in a move aimed at forcing Mr Gorgone into bankruptcy.

Mr Gorgone, who years ago ran the Botanic Cafe on East Tce and also operated Italy Cafe, Ristorante and Bar at the old Scoozi site on Rundle St before its closure in 2023, declined to comment.

Mr Schwarz has been contacted for comment.

The two other Sicily pizzerias – Sicily Naxos at Semaphore and Sicily Autostrada on Anzac Hwy at Everard Park – closed down in 2024 and 2023.

Their demise follows a long line of restaurant, cafe and bar closures in recent weeks, as the number of hospitality failures nationwide reaches record highs.

Credit reporting agency CreditorWatch recently revealed hospitality closures hit a record high of 9.3 per cent in the 12 months to February – one in 11 businesses – as customers under cost of living pressures cut their discretionary spending.

Local SA closures in recent weeks have included vegan restaurant Lucky Ducks and Sourc’d Wine Bar, both at Aldinga, as well as Henley Beach cafe Hey Zozo’s and CBD dining venues Fishbank, Little NNQ, Stem and Midnight Spaghetti.

Originally published as Sicily Mare Pizzeria & Gelato closes doors at Aldinga Beach