Though the news has not been announced via its Facebook page or website, we have received confirmation from the ownership that EatNic, the farm to table BYOB in Paoli, is permanently closed for business.
We first caught wind of this a few weeks ago when an anonymous source reported the closing to PA Eats, though multiple attempts to contact the restaurant through emails and phone calls went unanswered. A comment left by a customer on a post on EatNic’s Facebook page in mid-May seemed to confirm the sad news, saying, “I arrived for dinner last night only to find a note thanking all their customers and announcing that EatNic was closed. … Having only just discovered this wonderful restaurant I am truly heartbroken. In a world of chain restaurants and fast food this little gem shined so bright!!. … You will be sorely missed!!”
Then, we got a message from EatNic’s owner, John Scardapane, confirming that the restaurant is indeed closed. Scardapane shared that he’s been struggling with serious health issues and chronic pain and “new additional complications have kept me in and out of hospitals.” He is currently preparing for additional surgery, and said that while he was “proud to be the owner of EatNic, I could not be the operator, due to my health.”
He also reported that the breakneck pace of new restaurants opening in King of Prussia Mall and the surrounding centers have taken their toll. “It was like being a mom & pop hardware store and having Lowes and Home Depot open at the same time a few miles down the road,” Scardapane said. “EatNic was down nearly 50% on comparable monthly sales from this new competition. I thought our customers would return after sampling the new competition, but they did not … I will never know if I was healthy and had the strength, could I have saved EatNic; this will haunt me forever.”
He concluded his heartbreaking message, saying, “My plan to have EatNic support the dedicated staff, my family and others have been shattered. I am sincerely sorry about this happening. I am proud of all the awards and accolades EatNic won in 2017 & 2018. I genuinely want to thank all of EatNic’s prior customers for all their support over the last year and a half.
Kind regards,
John Scardapane”
We are saddened to hear of Scardapane’s struggles and sincerely wish him and his family the best of luck during this time.
EatNic was located at 231 W. Lancaster Ave. in Paoli.; phone: (484) 320-8155.
- Photos: Ed Williams
