Clearwater Character
Capogna's Dugout
An older couple sits in a booth circled around a
giant steaming pizza. A family decked to the nines in Philadelphia
Phillies gear gathers around a long table
eagerly waiting for their food to arrive.
It is dark and dim, but
distinctly brightened
by the photographs,
jerseys and sports
memorabilia that line
the walls. They are not
ones of the typical major
leaguers or NFL stars.
They’re photographs of
Clearwater’s local teams
from Little League to
high school to college
to professional. This
is Capogna's Dugout
located in the heart of
Clearwater at 1653 Gulfto
Bay Blvd.
“We opened the restaurant
in 1973, and right away
we got involved in Little
League Baseball," said
Alan (Al) Capogna.
"Through baseball, we
started supporting football,
basketball, girls’ softball and girls' basketball. Every sport
you can think of, we sponsor. And, that’s how we built this
restaurant.”
Capogna’s Dugout is considered an institution in Clearwater.
Al and his three siblings, Chris, Mike and Stephanie, grew
up watching their parents, Art and Margaret Capogna, work
tirelessly to open what was then a sliver of what Capogna’s is
now.
After Art died in 1994, the siblings took charge of the family
business. The restaurant has since expanded five times;
seating capacity has gone from 145 to 286. On average, the
04 MyClearwater
restaurant sees around 800 people come through its doors to
chow down on their famed pepperoni pizza, pasta and wings
on a Friday night.
"It's a home away from home,” Capogna said. “A place
to come to after the game – talk about what you did. It's
almost like a locker room or a
clubhouse. That's why we call
it the dugout."
When it comes to patrons,
Capogna’s has run the
gamut: heads of state,
politicians, baseball greats,
police officers, and people
from Clearwater.
"My favorite thing on the
menu is the staff and the
people," said Jen High, a
Clearwater resident and
longtime customer. "They
know my name. You know
their name. It's very rare."
The Capogna siblings have
worked hard to maintain
the unique culture of the
restaurant as well as carry
on their parents' legacy
of giving back to the
community. They now not only support athletic
teams but also the individual players themselves through
charitable organizations, such as Clearwater for Youth.
Each year, they award a $5,000 scholarship to a
high school athlete and produce a charitable
golf tournament that raises more than
$10,000. Capogna also sits on the board of
trustees for Clearwater for Youth.
"It just gets at your heart. It's a great
feeling that you know it helps at least
a little," he said. "It takes more than
just me or the dugout. It takes a
community."