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Bad week for Italian BYOBs in Queen Village

Not only Ulivo is on the way out. So is Spitalieri's, a yearling.

Spitalieri's, which opened on Passyunk Avenue just off South Street last April, will serve its last dinners Saturday, March 28.

"Unfortunately, we no longer can sustain the cost needed to run it properly," said Joanna Spitalieri, a South Philadelphian who came home to open the Italian BYOB to fulfill her lifelong dream. As disappointed as she is to close, she said, "we are celebrating what we did."

Three blocks away, Ulivo - also a Italian BYOB - will mark its final night March 28 after 3½ years.

Trend? Doubtful.

BYOBs are the hardest game there is, especially in areas like Queen Village that have well-run restaurants with potentially more profitable bars.