Milano’s, Don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya

VICKSBURG, Miss. – Milano’s Italian Grill issued a statement late Thursday evening after shuttering it’s doors earlier this week, citing high crime, cigar smoke, a lack of parking, and community support.

They claim that this was a hard decision, stating: “When we first shared the news with our staff, we struggled to fully communicate that this might be our final decision. We had hoped to take two more weeks to think it through, but circumstances moved faster than expected. We want to make it clear—this decision was not taken lightly, nor was it made in haste.”

In their elaborate defense as to leaving the city of Vicksburg, they failed to mention that, according to the Tuscaloosa Thread, the original owner operators sold their ownership of both the Vicksburg, Miss. and West Monroe, La. locations in 2024, and have been running a new location in Tuscaloosa, Alabama since November, which, to be clear, they have a right to do, but that omission is definitely of note.

That they did square up with their employees and pay them up to date is admirable, and was the right thing to do, but that is a low bar of “the right thing.” That those same employees found themselves unemployed over night, with servers’ pay to get them through until they find something else, is not.

Key City, right across the street from Milano’s, has had to deal with the exact same environment and struggles the restaurant claims were such insurmountable circumstances. They seem to be doing just fine.

Yes, Vicksburg is struggling with crime and a Mayor/Police Commissioner who has hamstrung the police department during his twelve years in office by reducing the police budget. The parking garages have also been long needed for repair and upkeep.

Businesses come and go, and close for numerous reasons, and to be fair, Vicksburg does have a tendency to treat new businesses like pancakes: “All exciting at first, but by the end your sick of them,” to quote the late Mitch Hedburg. We could do better about keeping our money local and support those who do choose to do business in our city.

That said, we need business owners who are dedicated and committed to our city, and that list is not short. There are many transplants who have made Vicksburg their home and are committed to seeing the city flourish. Milano’s sounds like a lover scorned. In their 925 word statement, it just feels like a “sorry, not sorry.”

I will definitely miss their chicken plate, but don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.