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New Dining and Retail Landscape in Newtown, Pennsylvania

The evolving dining landscape in Newtown showcases new culinary options alongside renovations.

News Summary

Newtown, Pennsylvania, is witnessing a transformation in its dining scene as 2024 unfolds. The recently opened Santina’s Pastry Shop by Nino contrasts with the closures of Mod Pizza and The Sycamore Grill, the latter undergoing renovations and rebranding. The vacancy left by Mod Pizza will soon be filled by Cava, a Mediterranean restaurant chain set to establish its first Bucks County location. This shift reflects changing consumer preferences and the dynamic retail environment in the area.

Newtown, Pennsylvania is experiencing a significant shift in its dining and retail landscape in 2024, marked by both new openings and notable closures. Among the highlights is the recent opening of Santina’s Pastry Shop by Nino, which began welcoming customers in November 2024 at the Village at Newtown South.

In contrast, the Newtown location of Mod Pizza closed its doors in early December 2024, adding to the list of dining spots that have ceased operations in the area. Additionally, The Sycamore Grill, a popular American bistro known for its lively atmosphere and culinary offerings, shut down on a recent Friday night. Though the closure has raised eyebrows among locals, a notice posted on the restaurant’s door indicated that it will undergo renovations and rebranding in the near future.

The Sycamore Grill, which opened in November 2011 as a replacement for the Mexican restaurant Lilly’s Cocina Loca, has been a staple for meat and seafood lovers in the area. The closure has stirred mixed emotions online, with some patrons expressing nostalgia for their fond dining experiences there. As buzz continues to circulate, some social media users speculate that the rebranded establishment may pivot to an upscale Cajun theme.

Amidst these closures, the vacant space left by Mod Pizza will soon be revitalized as Cava, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain that has gained traction across the country. The new Cava location, which will be the first in Bucks County, received the green light to set up shop at the Village of Newtown, located at 2800 South Eagle Road. Cava aims to bring customizable Mediterranean-style dishes, including bowls and pitas, to the local dining scene.

The upcoming Cava will feature seating for 38 indoors and 17 outside, intending to hire up to 20 employees per shift across two shifts of operation. Since its founding in 2006 by first-generation Greek Americans in Maryland, Cava has rapidly expanded and will now become the 10th location in Pennsylvania. This expansion comes after the company acquired Zoe’s Kitchen in 2018, positioning itself as the largest Mediterranean restaurant operator in the United States.

While an official opening date for the Newtown Cava has not yet been shared, the introduction of this Mediterranean dining option is anticipated to cater to the growing demand for diverse culinary experiences in the area. Cava’s mission centers around creating a dining atmosphere that honors Mediterranean culture, hospitality, and community, promising to be a welcome addition to the local dining options.

The simultaneous rise of new establishments, such as Santina’s Pastry Shop and the forthcoming Cava, alongside the closure of well-known spots like Mod Pizza and The Sycamore Grill, highlights the dynamic and evolving retail and restaurant landscape within Newtown, Pennsylvania, as the community adapts to changing consumer preferences and market conditions.