Ariana’s Ristorante in Montgomery Township Announces Permanent Closure

Tony Di Domizio | North Penn Now•

After almost 30 years in business, Ariana’s Ristorante Italiano in Montgomery Township has permanently closed.

Owner Yvonne Federico posted a video to the restaurant’s Facebook page on June 22 announcing the permanent closure of the restaurant due to personal family issues, as well as the liquidation of everything in the restaurant at 981 North Wales Road in Montgomery Township.

"Ariana’s has unfortunately closed its doors permanently as of May 14,” she said in the video. "That being said, I wanted to thank everyone who follows us for their patronage, and it’s been very difficult. It was a difficult decision to make, and it’s been difficult to deal with. But we just wanted to let everyone know that we appreciate all the past years and all the customers that we’ve met and the friends we have made in this particular location for the last 29 years. The Ariana’s era has come to an end.”

Federico said that a week prior to the closing, her mother’s health took a turn for the worse.

"She is now on palliative and home hospice care, and now I’m free, so I’m taking care of her,” she said. "It’s about making her comfortable, and doing everything we can to facilitate her comfort, and kind of enjoy the rest of her days that are numbered. I don’t know how long: It could last a while, it could last another day, we just don’t know. There is a higher power there, and everything happens for a reason, so it was a culmination of things.”

Federico was saddened that she could not accommodate special clientele lunches anymore.

"Those days are over, time to look forward and move on,” she said, adding that she would most likely work for someone else in the future.

Federico said she is liquidating everything in the restaurant – chairs, tables, utensils, cookware, you name it. So, customers can come and buy a piece of Ariana’s for the memories.

"We’re at the point now where I am liquidating some things, so if anyone would like a piece of Ariana’s, we have so many things here. If you know of anyone who is interested in taking a piece of Ariana’s, we are selling a plethora of items. Please spread the word and let people know,” she said. "Please private message me on Messenger and I will respond as quickly as possible, and we’ll go from there.”

Federico thanked all her clients and customers for their years of dedication and service to her restaurant.

"On behalf of myself and my staff, we want to thank everyone for everything: the friends, the friendliness, the compliments, all that good stuff. It’s an unfortunate situation in that we really did try hard with Covid and what not,” she said. "I’m sure a lot of people have been calling and trying to get in touch with us.”

"I appreciate each and every one of you that walked through my doors,” she said. "It has been an adventure. It was great most of the time, sometimes not so great, but that’s the nature of it.”

Ariana’s was known for its BYOB and BYOW atmosphere, as well as dishes like pollo marsala and linguine with mussels. At the time of its closing, it had a 4.0 out of 5 rating via 66 reviews on TripAdvisor and was rated number two out of seven Italian restaurants in the North Wales zip code.

Federico welcomed customers and employees past and present to share memories on the video post.

Emilie Kopenhaver said she would miss her ladies’ luncheons there. Nicole Daly thanked Ariana’s "for many of the best meals I’ve ever had.”

Brenda Wright wrote that Federico was "a wonderful employer and hard working woman.”

"I loved working for you,” Wright wrote. "Ariana was just a baby. Good luck in the future.”

Bette Lou Wood Tootill thanked Ariana’s for making guests feel like family.

"We will miss our favorite dinners with our Ariana’s family,” wrote Antonia Greene-Edards. "We love you guys and support your next chapter.”

Danette Pendlebury worked for Ariana’s off and on for 10 years. "Best restaurant ever,” she wrote.

Steven Cohen wrote that it was his favorite restaurant for the last 28 years.

"We will miss you and Chef Matt,” he wrote. Hope your mom appreciates the care you give to her.”

Kimberly Worrell and Joanne Tanhauser thanked them for their wonderful birthday, wedding rehearsal, and baby shower celebrations.

Jill McKnight wrote that Ariana’s changed her life as a young 15 year old.

"Ariana’s has been such a big part of my life since I was 15 years old, so 29 years ago,” she wrote. "A chapter is closing but the Ariana’s family will live forever.”