(The Center Square) – Another iconic Seattle establishment is closing its doors, blaming high rents, high wages and minimal support from the city for the decision to shutter.
Luigi’s Italian Eatery is slated to close on September 19, after more than a decade of operations in Pioneer Square.
“We negotiated, we negotiated, we negotiated, we negotiated… If I had 40% more walking in my front door, I [would] have no problem making rent. But market rate is ridiculous in this period of time with the political and economic crisis that is going on,” said owner Angela Williams in an interview with The Center Square.
The concept of Pioneer Square being “Seattle’s Little Italy” was largely born out of William’s late husband, chef and entrepreneur Luigi DeNunzio.
DeNunzio opened restaurants like Al Boccalino (1989) and Café Bengodi (1999), and in 2009 he successfully convinced then Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels to officially recognize a block on Yesler Way as a symbol of the area’s rich cultural diversity and Italian heritage.
DeNunzio passed away in 2017, but his family has continued to operate Luigi’s Italian Eatery on 1st Avenue South for the last decade.
Business from the recent World Cup games did not translate into a boon for the restaurant, Williams said, noting that she and other restaurant owners were shocked when food trucks were brought in on the first day of the games. They closed the restaurant by 5pm for lack of walk-in customers.
She said the bars were hopping, but food business didn’t pan out as they’d hoped.
Luigi’s is not the only legacy business in Pioneer Square to close in the wake of the World Cup. Forty-nine-year-old Magic Mouse Toys and 23-year-old Collins Pub both recently closed.
Williams shared that trying to stay optimistic only lasts so long.
“We definitely pivoted and we changed menus…but there came a point to where no matter what we did, you know, it’s the old saying, if you’re digging a hole, the first rule is to stop digging,” Williams said. “So, we had to stop digging and take a really hard look, putting everything else aside and saying, can we make it through with the increases that have just happened with our rent and everything? Can we make it through the winter? And the answer was no.”
Williams said her employees, many of whom have worked at Luigi’s a decade or longer, are like family.
“Oh, we will miss them all,” said Williams through tears.
On Friday, The Center Square asked Alliance For Pioneer Square Executive Director Lisa Howard about the closure of Luigi’s and other recent legacy business losses in the district.
“It’s a really big loss for Pioneer Square,” she said. “You know the world is different and operating a small business in Seattle and in Washington state is different than it was 10 years ago. And we’re seeing some turnover and it’s definitely hitting people differently across the board.”
Howard noted other recent losses in Pioneer Square.
“In 2026, we saw a number of the legacy businesses close….it leaves a big hole in the neighborhood, but it also leaves a space for the next chapter of what’s going to be for Pioneer Square,” Howard said.
Williams said they did all they could to stay afloat, but feel the city has been working against them at every turn.
“Everybody is chasing the almighty dollar and it’s got to be a partnership,” Williams said. “This city is so out of touch with reality, it leaves me speechless. The regulations, the licenses…everything is out of whack and now utilities are going up I think 9.3% next month. Thank God I’m going to be done.”