Bella Vino closing after six years in downtown Morganton

The downtown Bella Vino Trattoria & Wine Garden on West Union is closing after six years in Morganton.

The closing was news to the City of Morganton officials, with the Facebook post being the only mention of the owner’s plans. Downtown restaurant owner Emmanuel “Manny” Manolakas has not officially told the City he is closing his business, as of Wednesday, Jan. 8.

His current lease agreement wasn’t set to expire until Dec. 31, 2027. Ending the lease early could result in Manolaka paying a penalty. Typically, leases require written approval for closure from the landlord (the City).

Manolakas announced through social media on Tuesday, Jan. 7, that they would no longer.

“With heavy heart, we would like to let our Morganton community family and friends know we will no longer be open. We would like to thank everyone for the support we had for the past 6 years,” Manolakas said.

In new City Attorney Keith Rigsbee’s office, himself and City Manager Sally Sandy confirmed that the City had not received any information about owner Emmanuel Manolakas closing Bella Vino. Manolakas’ attorney, Matthew Rogers, has not responded to The Paper’s request for comment.

The building and its attachments such as the back patio and interior fixtures are owned by the City.

Neither knew when he will be officially closed. “We do not have additional information other than what he posted in his post,” Rigsbee said.

“At this point, we do not have any plans...It is to be determined,” Sandy said.

Although the City does not have immediate plans for the building, Sandy said that any decisions will be up to the council.

“What I will say is that the idea of the downtown restaurant was to be an economic driver. ... That goal has not changed,” Sandy stated.

The closure comes about seven months after Manolakas won a civil court case against the City of Morganton. Bella Vino is housed in a City-owned building. Manolakas challenged the City’s eviction efforts and a magistrate judge ruled in favor of Manolakas on Jan. 24, 2023.

The City appealed the ruling, which put in motion the two-week jury trial and its impacts that roll into the present day. The jury’s May 17 verdict ruled that the City breached the 2018 lease with Manolakas and he was entitled to $705K in compensation plus 8% interest compounded daily.

Regarding the ongoing legal disputes, Rigsbee could not comment on the closure and its impacts on those proceedings. Any decisions will need to be communicated with the city council.

“The Bella Vino site is a great location for a restaurant,” said Morganton Mayor Ronnie Thompson after learning of the closure. “Morganton would love to have a popular restaurant, serving good food in that location. A popular restaurant there would be nothing but good news for our downtown.”