By Kyle Coppola
The Sipping Garden and Bistro in Leesburg Slated to Close Permanently
The Sipping Garden and Bistro, a popular wine-focused gathering spot in downtown Leesburg known for its warm, home-like atmosphere, will close its doors on Saturday, Aug. 29.
Owner Alisha Blake announced the closure, citing the end of the business’s lease, which will not be renewed. The final week will include special events and music as the establishment celebrates its community ties.
“We’re closing with heavy hearts after four wonderful years,” Alisha says, “This isn’t goodbye… it’s see you soon.”
Alisha opened the Sipping Garden in November 2022. She had previously managed a family pizzeria for 11 years before pursuing a new path in health care. After her parents sold the restaurant, she attended x-ray school and worked as a CT technologist for 13 years before opening The Sipping Garden located at the historic Magnolia House in Leesburg.
Along the way, she developed a deep appreciation for wine that went beyond casual enjoyment, leading her to create a unique bistro experience.
The Sipping Garden’s interior was designed to feel like a welcoming living room, drawing inspiration from magazines such as Better Homes & Gardens. Patrons often described it as a place that evoked a sense of home; blending wine tastings, bistro fare and community events.
Alisha also expressed deep gratitude to the Lake County community for its support.
“Your friendships, kindness, laughter, and unwavering support have meant more to us than words can express,” she wrote. “The memories we’ve made and the relationships we’ve built will stay with us forever.”
While the physical location will close, Alisha indicates the business’s journey is not over. She hinted at future plans to bring “something new” to the Lake County area and encouraged patrons to stay tuned for updates.
“I am planning a new catering business and that is a work in progress. I plan on keeping the charcuterie, soups and chicken salads. I’ll be doing events for wedding anniversaries, retirement parties, business events and much more, so stay tuned,” Alisha says.
While the end is near for The Sipping Garden, Alisha encourages customers to visit during its final days to share in “love, laughter, and memories” with upcoming music and events.
“Let’s raise one more glass together,” Alisha says.
The Sipping Garden is slated to be taken over by James and Shawna Pancari, the former owners of Brooklyn’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant.
Photos by: Nicole Hamel
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
