Downtown Fort Smith will soon have a new dining option with the planned Nov. 14 opening of Prima Italia at 720 Garrison Ave. – inside the building that was once the Fort Smith Town Club. The restaurant will be in the space that previously housed The Rialto restaurant. The Rialto closed with the early 2023 departure of Chef James Thomas.

Zac Scarborough, general manager of Prima Italia, and Storm Nolan with Fort Smith-based CSK Hotels, announced Monday (Nov. 6) the opening of the new restaurant at 5 p.m., Nov. 14. Prima Italia will have seating for 96, plus 56 on a the pet-friendly patio. The restaurant, which has undergone an estimated $200,000 in renovations, features a private Chef’s Table with seating for up to 12, and a card room. The restaurant will employ 18.