Fino’s From the Hill is closing.

On Tuesday, owner Jerry Wilson announced that he will be closing both locations of the popular Memphis sandwich shop.

“I have decided to close with the intention of selling,” said Wilson. “I will consider offers to sell the whole business with both locations, or just to purchase one of the two locations.”

Wilson made the decision to close and attempt to sell the business after hearing of the unexpected death of Krewe of DeJavu chef Gary Williams last week. It was an option he had been considering, but that news was a wake-up call.

“In March of 2016 I was diagnosed with heart failure,” explained the business owner, who turns 48 this year. “It would get better, then get worse. In May of this year, I had to have a defibrillator permanently installed.”

Wilson plans to focus on his health and spend some quality time with his wife and young daughter before planning what is next.

The original Fino’s is located at 1853 Madison Avenue on the ground floor of The Gilmore apartment building. That location is 2,209-square-feet and has 64 seats. The space is leased from the Henry Turley Company.

In 2015, Wilson expanded to East Memphis. He purchased the 3,760-square-foot building at 703 W. Brookhaven Circle that is home to the second location. The East Memphis restaurant has 74 seats.

Dining Review: Fino’s on the Circle delivers same goodies as the Hill

Wilson owned Fino's since 2009

Wilson had been a longtime customer of Fino’s when he purchased it from Joann Johnson in 2009.

Johnson (maiden name Finocchiaro) opened Fino’s in 1990 as an Italian grocery, after missing places to shop for authentic Italian groceries like she had in her hometown St. Louis. Over the years, her shop evolved into a grocery and deli with the addition of sandwiches and homemade desserts.

“I always joked with Joanne that she should let me open one in East Memphis. One day she asked why would I do that when I could have this one,” Wilson said. “Not long afterwards, I was a restaurant owner.”

Wilson said that he bought the restaurant for the New York Club.

“I am a sandwich person,” he explained. “It was an inexpensive sandwich the size of your head. Plus, it was so good. When I walked in the first day as an owner, I had never even had any of Fino’s pastas and soups.”

Fino’s sandwiches have received many accolades and awards over the years.

In 2016, the New York Club was named the second best sandwich in town by The Commercial Appeal in The Great Memphis Sandwich Showdown. Turkey, corned beef and Swiss are piled high on this sandwich that is dressed with lettuce, tomato/onion dressing and Russian dressing.

According to Wilson, the Aquisto, which is a ham, mortadella and salami sandwich with green olive dressing, was named in the top 20 of a list a couple of years ago of the “Top 100 Things to Eat in Memphis Before You Die.”

The generously sized Italian subs are known for their crispy bread and signature house-made dressings like black olive tapenade and green olive dressing. A unique and tasty tomato-onion vinaigrette was their house salad dressing.

Classic pasta dishes, pizzas and Italian-inspired soups round out the menu of filling yet affordable deli items.

More:Lunch Break: Three tasty lunch options for $10 or less in Memphis

“I really hope someone purchases Fino’s. I would hate to see it go away,” Wilson added. “I have done what I can with the business and it’s now someone else’s turn to take it to the next step.”

The future of Fino's

On December 20, Wilson said he has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support he has gotten since making the decision to sell Fino's.

"We have had so much interest from potential buyers," he explained. "With the hope that one of the offers on the table will work out, we are temporarily suspending operations at both locations as originally planned, but with the hope that we find a buyer that can take over the brand and keep the business open at both locations."

Wilson's plan is to work on a deal during January so that the business can continue in 2019, but with a new owner.

Fino’s East Memphis will temporarily close at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 and the Midtown location will close at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 22. Re-opening plans are contingent on the sale of the business.