SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND)- When asking Lisa Drew, owner of Sorrento's Pizzeria what she hopes the community will remember most, her reply is simple: "I want them to remember the whole story."
Sorrento's Pizzeria served up its first slice of homemade pizza in 1969.
"My father, grandparents and aunts all immigrated from Sicily as a family..." explained Tony Curcuru, Drew's son and store associate. "They found a town that looked like needed a pizza shop, and that was Lincoln."
At the time, pizza restaurants were slowly growing in America. With the Curcuru's family recipe, it found it's home in Lincoln rather quickly.
Over the past 56 years, the family has been serving up a taste of their Italian heritage for Central Illinois.
"I would wait tables, make pizzas, answer the phones, and host!" Angioletta Curcuru, Drew's daughter, added.
The family grew up in this space, meeting new customers and families every week. From their pizzas, salads, and homemade cinnamon sticks, people couldn't get enough of Sorrento's Pizzeria.
"It's hard to imagine not having this as a part of my life, because I haven't known anything else..." Drew explains. She met her husband, got married at nineteen, and worked here ever since.
Now, Drew has decided it is time for a new chapter in her and her family's lives. Last Friday, Sorrento's served their last slice.
"It wasn't until we announced that we were closing that we realized, this is not just about our family..." said Drew. "This is about everybody's family that supports and enjoys Sorrento's."
Although a hard decision, Drew is taking a step back to care for her husband's health and spend more time with her grandchildren. Instead of saying goodbye, they want to say thank you.
"My mom wouldn't be here with us in this pizza shop if it wasn't for my family coming here from another country!" said Curcuru.
Years later, the community is sad to see this Italian staple leave. The memories, however, will last forever.
"Thank you for being a part of our family. It will always be a part of Lincoln."
Copyright 2025. WANDTV. All Rights Reserved.
