Formaggio's Closes At Lithia Crossings As Construction Mess Continues

The construction causing a mess at the Lithia Springs shopping center? It's not just an eyesore for passersby, who should know by now, from previous news reports, that the work is paving the way for The Fresh Market in Valrico.

Next door to the mess is Formaggio's Express, where, "due to construction issues our express store cannot continue to operate," according to a Facebook notice posted Thursday, June 27. "The management company gave us no warning of the construction dates or the extensive demolition taking place there. The construction is so extensive we have no choice but to shut down that store till further notice."

According to the post, related issues include "roof leaks" and "no sidewalk passages" and "dust coming through high ceiling points."

Apologies were given "for not giving you better notice of this." Duly noted, though, is the opening of the Formaggio's express location on Lithia-Pinecrest Road, across the street from Lithia Springs Elementary School, just north of the River Hills community entrance and just up the road from Lithia Crossings. Also, the Formaggio's Italian Restaurant in Lithia, south of FishHawk Boulevard, at 5622 Lithia-Pinecrest Road.

Formaggio's reports that it will be answering the phones at its Lithia Crossings location through Saturday, June 29, then forwarding the calls to the River Hills location.  

Reaction has been favorable to the June 27 post, which as of Friday, June 28, at 5:15 p.m. had received 28 comments and 19 "likes."

"We drove by the express store Saturday to go to the restaurant to pick up pies for dinner, and it was a big ['ole] mess," wrote Dee Loach. "We will continue to go to the restaurant like we always [do], no worries. Just glad we have a little bit of Italian in our corner of the woods."

Formaggio's is online. For the River Hills express location, call: 813-689-1744. For Formaggio's Italian Restaurant, call: 813-643-1415.