West Deer eatery La Vite closed

A popular West Deer restaurant has closed without explanation.

La Vite Ristorante shuttered its doors Oct. 30 according to social media posts.

Joe Voloch, director of operations at No Offseason Sports, where the restaurant was located, confirmed the eatery had closed and said he doesn’t foresee it reopening.

“It surprised me. We were under the impression that they were doing really well,” said Voloch, adding he is open to another restaurant moving in.

The restaurant’s owner, Eric Capozzi of McCandless, did not return calls seeking comment, but social media has been buzzing about the closure.

Many people said they frequented the restaurant during their kids’ athletics practices. The restaurant at 942 Little Deer Creek Valley Road is a tenant in the adjacent retail outlet at No Offseason Sports.

“Word is La Vite has unexpectedly closed permanently,” one post read. “Sitting at that bar for an hour and a half once (or twice) a week with a cold Blue Moon draft and their oh-so-delicious Chicken Milan was some of my favorite me-time.”

Another user posted, “I just heard this!!! I’m sad. The boys practice/play soccer there, and we would go all the time.”

Capozzi opened La Vite in April 2023. It employed 75 people.

Serving mostly Italian food, menu items included pasta, pizza, flatbreads, salads, and specialties such as seared scallops and Italian ribs.

There was a full-service bar and banquet room, as well as outdoor seating that overlooked the practice fields.