05/11/2026
We have some good news and some difficult news to share with our Giovanni’s family.
The difficult news is that we are still unable to reopen our current Croydon location at this time. Following the incident earlier this year, there are still ongoing structural, safety, and sanitary concerns within the building that we are simply not comfortable reopening under. As business owners, parents, and members of this community, the safety of our staff, customers, and food preparation areas will always come first.
We are currently working with contractors on the rebuilding of floors, ceilings, equipment and other affected areas while continuing to navigate the insurance process to ensure funds are distributed fairly and appropriately for the restoration that is needed. There are many parts of this process that, unfortunately, we are unable to publicly discuss at this time out of respect for ongoing matters related to the claim and other professional guidance we have received.
What we can say is this. None of this has been easy. Giovanni’s was built with love, sacrifice, long nights, family, and a community that believed in us from the very beginning. Watching something you poured your heart into sit silent has been heartbreaking.
We also recently learned that our lease will not be renewed at the end of December. While this was not our decision, we are choosing to look at it as an opportunity to find our forever home in the Bristol/Croydon area, a place where Giovanni’s can continue to grow, heal, and create memories for years to come. If you have any leads send them our way.
Now for the good news.
Today, we had a very positive meeting with the Board of Health regarding our second location in New Hope. As long as the borough gives final approval, we will be able to carry some of your Giovanni’s favorites including our pickle sandwiches and pizza at the New Hope location. This was a huge step for us and honestly gave us a little bit of hope during our time of uncertainty and this definitely was not expected as we were fully prepared to just be a jar location .
Most importantly, Giovanni’s is not gone.
This community has carried us through some of the hardest moments imaginable, and because of your love and support, we are still standing. Every message, every shared post, every customer who has checked on us, every person who believed in us when things felt impossible, thank you. You have reminded us why we started this journey in the first place.
We may be quieter right now, but we are still fighting behind the scenes every single day to do things the right way, the safe way, and the honest way.
When we fully reopen, whether in Croydon, Bristol, or our forever home, we promise it will be worth the wait.
With love,
Gabby, Tom & the Giovanni’s family
