SIDNEY – Residents of the Sidney area will no longer need to travel all the way to Oxford to get their fix of the Italian cuisine which has made Roma Ristorante and Pizzeria a favorite destination for many. On Tuesday, the popular restaurant opened its second location, at 25 Union Street in Sidney.

Those familiar with Sidney may recognize the address as being that of Michelangelo’s, which closed its doors on Mother’s Day.

According to owner Mike Barone, he and his partners had been looking to open a second location in the area for about a year. They were drawn to the Union Street property because of it’s proximity both to downtown Sidney and several large local businesses, he said.

They acquired the building on July 1, and immediately began an extensive renovation. The building had started out as a fast food restaurant, Barone explained, and despite other occupants over the years, had never been fully remodeled before he took ownership.

“The ambiance was always (that of) a Hardee’s,” the restaurateur reported.

Well, not any more.