Erie Italian restaurant Mi Scuzi to make move to Millcreek Mall. When will it open?

Mi Scuzi Ristorante Italiano, at 2641 Myrtle St., will soon be moving to the Millcreek Mall, adjacent to JCPenney. The new location will feature a patio, private and semi-private dining areas for events and gatherings as well as a full standard dining room.

"I've been in contact with the Cafaro family (owners of the mall) for several years," Mi Scuzi owner and chef Michael Fersace said. "Tony Cafaro Sr. and I have developed a good relationship over those years. A year and a half ago, we hammered out the framework of a deal and massaged it and we signed it in December."

The 6,600-square-foot space was most recently occupied by Ruby Tuesday's, which closed in 2019.

Fersace, who will retain ownership of the restaurant, said it's a bigger space than he has, so he can "touch more of the community" as well as do more catering and events.

"My kids are going to work with me and do some meaningful work," he said of his children, Amanda, Sarah and Zachary Fersace. Also, all of his current employees will follow the restaurant to its new site, he said.

Ambience a priority

Michael Fersace said Mi Scuzi lovers will still enjoy the intimacy of the current space at the new location.

"I'm committed to retaining the feel, the intimacy and the ambience of the current facility," Fersace said. "We're making lots of changes inside to promote that intimacy.

"We'll will be enhancing the current menu and offerings. And we're going to offer brunch on Sundays."

The chef opened the Italian restaurant at its current location in 2008, and he will be in his new digs sometime in late summer, or, according to a written statement "in the third quarter of 2024."

He also promised not to get too big for his britches at first.

"I'm not trying to open a huge space all at once," he said, adding that catering and events will come later after the regular dining room is open. "We're going to play small ball and grow into the new space so we're doing everything right before we do more."

Contact Jennie Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com or at 814-870-1885.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie PA Italian restaurant Mi Scuzi will move into Millcreek Mall