Cibo’s Restaurant in Waynesburg has been listed for sale, as the owner has decided to “slow down a bit.”
WAYNESBURG − After more than five decades of serving homemade Italian fare in a former movie theater, the owner of Cibo’s Restaurant is looking for a successor.
Ownership will come with Cibo’s closely held recipes, signature sauces and a legacy built on family tradition.
The restaurant at 134 W. Lisbon St., which opened in 1971 inside the former Mohawk Theatre, has been listed for sale by Cutler Real Estate.
The $349,000 listing includes the property, business, inventory, fixtures, equipment, beer and wine license, and a spaghetti sauce bottling contract. The restaurant’s two signature sauces are served in-house and sold at Marc’s locations throughout Stark County.
Owner Jim Fragasse, who has run Cibo’s for the past 22 years, said in an April 15 phone call that his decision reflects a desire to slow down.
“I’m ready to cut back a little,” Fragasse said. “I own other restaurants, and I’d like to just slow down a bit.”
Fragasse, the restaurant’s second owner, said the sale also includes recipes passed down from founder Rena Rugani. Her son, Herman, purchased the former theater and gave his mother the opportunity to open an Italian restaurant, where she and friends cooked dishes rooted in recipes brought from Italy.
“Cibo’s has been part of the fabric of Waynesburg for more than 50 years. It’s not just a restaurant, it’s a place that has brought people together, drawn visitors into our community and contributed to our local economy,” said Waynesburg Mayor Doug Welch.
“My hope is that the next owners will honor that legacy and continue to be an active part of Waynesburg’s future.”
Cibo is an Italian word for food. The restaurant quickly became a regional draw known for its homemade pastas and freshly baked bread.
As demand grew, the building was remodeled in 1986 to accommodate more diners. The space still reflects its theatrical past, with high ceilings and a stage that occasionally hosts dinner theater performances.
In a recent Facebook post, restaurant officials acknowledged the transition ahead, noting “it’s time for a new owner to carry on the legacy of our establishment.”
Fragasse, who also owns Angello’s 2 Go and Uncle Primo’s, said he is committed to helping new ownership succeed.
He expressed gratitude to the community that sustained the business for decades.
Bev Shaffer, Food & Drink reporter for The Canton Repository, can be reached at bshaffer@usatodayco.com or 330-580-8318.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Cibo’s owner selling Waynesburg restaurant, recipes, sauce business
Dining and Cooking