Fire Forces Indefinite Closure of Michael’s Italian Restaurant in Niagara Falls

Photo credit Butch Nocera

A fire that broke out Saturday night at one of Niagara Falls’ most cherished restaurants has left Michael’s Italian Restaurant closed for the foreseeable future.

Emergency crews responded to the scene at 3011 Pine Avenue around 9pm after reports of heavy smoke and flames.

According to Niagara Falls Police and Firefighters, the fire appeared to have originated in the rear of the building near the kitchen area.

Crews entered through the back of the property and successfully extinguished the blaze.

At least two firefighters were treated by AMR personnel for heat-related exhaustion during the operation. Fortunately, the restaurant had already closed for the night before the fire started and no injuries were reported.

While the full extent of the damage has not yet been determined, investigators are continuing to examine the cause of the fire.

In the meantime, the restaurant’s owners have announced that they are temporarily closing the business while they assess the situation and begin recovery efforts.

On Sunday, owners shared an emotional message with the community via Facebook:

To our community:

Last night, our beloved restaurant of 61 years experienced a devastating fire. Michael Capizzi started this iconic family restaurant in 1966.

While the loss is heartbreaking, we are beyond grateful to the incredible firefighters, emergency personnel and all who responded swiftly and worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire, their work and effort was nothing short of amazing and we are forever grateful.

As we begin to process this loss, please know that our thoughts are also with our staff and the community who have supported us for so long.

To everyone who has reached out, thank you. Your kind words, memories, and support mean the world to us.

Right now, we’re taking time to process everything, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate the emotional days ahead.

With gratitude,

The Michaels Family

Michael’s, a fixture in the Niagara Falls community since the 1960s, is known for its homestyle Italian cuisine.

For generations of customers, it has been more than a restaurant, it’s been a part of the community’s identity in Little Italy.

As residents express support and share memories on social media, owners say they are grateful for the outpouring of love and will share updates as they move forward.

Fire Forces Indefinite Closure of Michael’s Italian Restaurant in Niagara Falls