Before closing Dec. 31, 2019, Iannucci’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant served the South Asheville community for over 40 years. The bulk of that service took place at 1981 Hendersonville Road.

So, when Eric Scheffer, owner of Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian on Merrimon Avenue and Jettie Rae’s Oyster House on Charlotte Street, purchased the building and began the extensive renovation in January 2020, he says he wouldn’t have been surprised to find tomato sauce running through the pipes.