Anthony Zappola chose not to renew the lease for Tony’s Burger Shop at Van Aken District, closing the restaurant’s Market Hall location. The space’s five-year run under Zappola began with the Rice Shop, Cleveland Magazine reported.
The Market Hall’s role in the district
The City of Shaker Heights says the first phase of the Van Aken District, a mixed-use, transit-oriented development, was completed in 2019. The district describes its Market Hall as a gathering place for local artisans and restaurants, connected to an outdoor garden space and the streetscape, according to the Van Aken District.
The Market Hall space changed concepts
Zappola opened the Rice Shop at Van Aken in 2021, Cleveland Magazine reported. The Rice Shop closed on Jan. 11, 2025, and Tony’s took its place. At the time, Van Aken had been without a dedicated burger restaurant since Shake It closed in 2023, according to cleveland.com.
Zappola’s current restaurant lineup
Zappola’s current businesses are Lox, Stock and Brisket in Van Aken’s Market Hall and Tripi Italian Specialties at 3928 Lorain Ave. in Ohio City. He has also divested himself of the Tony’s Burger Shop location inside Erie + Vine in Willoughby. Cleveland Magazine reported that Zappola had been working seven days a week while managing multiple concepts and was seeking a more manageable workload.
Plans for Tripi
For the holiday and winter season, Tripi planned to operate six days a week and close on Mondays. Zappola also described plans for more events and new dishes at the Ohio City restaurant. Cleveland Magazine reported that a Nov. 20 wine dinner was planned, with live jazz and Venetian small plates including vegetable fritto misto, butternut squash gnocchi, beef carpaccio and Italian fish sandwiches.
