It’s official - Muio’s building for sale

The building which houses Muio’s, a longtime, popular downtown Sault Ste. Marie restaurant and landmark at the corner of Queen Street East and East Street, is up for sale.

‘For Sale’ signs can now be clearly seen on the building’s windows.

It is not known if the restaurant itself will continue under new ownership if or when the building has a new owner.

It is also not known what factor(s) led to the decision to put the building up for sale.

Muio’s owner Rob DiRenzo was not available for comment.

As reported earlier this month by SooToday’s James Hopkin, DiRenzo stated he might consider selling after rumours of Muio’s fate swirled throughout the community, while stating “the pandemic has been a disaster for us."

"It is possible that we will sell. It certainly won't be decided by anyone else but me and the family,” DiRenzo said at that time.

The landmark restaurant opened at its location at the corner of Queen and East Streets in 1962, established by brothers Carmen, Pat and Guy ‘Chippy’ Muio. 

Rocco DiRenzo, Rob’s father, worked for the brothers as a dishwasher at first before he too became a partner in the business.

Each Muio brother eventually retired, leaving Rocco DiRenzo as the sole owner.

He officially retired in 1997, with son Rob taking over as owner/operator.

Muio’s had a legion of regular customers, many of them from surrounding downtown businesses who came in to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner, ordering from the restaurant’s menu of Italian and Canadian food.

Muio’s also catered food for customers such as the Soo Greyhounds, and for occasions such as business meetings, smaller scale backyard weddings, school board meetings and city council meetings.

Prior to becoming home to an eatery, the historic Muio’s building was occupied by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) from 1890 to 1924, then by Angus Grant Wholesalers from 1924 to 1961.