Salumeria Cinque Soldi Shutters, Aiko Pops Will Replace It

It seemed like just a matter of time until Cinque Soldi, the family-owned East Coast-style deli, would close after it parted ways with Mark DeNittis and the now-defunct Il Mondo Vecchio. The small sandwich and salumi shop closed its doors at 1284 S. Pearl Street and Aiko Pops, a gourmet popsicle business will take its place.

Cinque Soldi opened last March with a family-partnership that included Tony and Cheryl DeSantis as well as Gennaro DeSantis and Mark DeNittis who co-owned Il Mondo Vecchio. The original thought was for this venture to serve as an exclusive retail storefront for Il Mondo Vecchio products. By the time Cinque Soldi opened, however, that was no longer the case, but the business partnership remained the same.

Six months into the Italian deli's life, DeNittis bowed out of the deli business citing partnership challenges and differing visions. By November, Il Mondo Vecchio stopped production of its cured meats and closed its doors, but Cinque Soldi remained open; now that is no longer the case.

The space will be taken over by Aiko Pops. The popsicle business that started out on a food cart focuses on gourmet ice pops using the freshest ingredients. Unique flavors like cucumber sesame, honey blue cheese, and raspberry sweet corn, are a signature of this sweet treat maker. So far, outside of the cart that roamed the streets and farmers markets, Aiko Pops have been available in select shops. There is no definitive opening date yet for the shops but it shouldn't be longer than a few weeks.

· Salumeria Cinque Soldi Opens Its Doors [EDen]
· Mark DeNittis Bows Out of Cinque Soldi Salumeria [Cafe Society]
· Last Call for Il Mondo Vecchio [EDen]
· Aiko Pops [Official Website]