The Guiliani family originally setup the family-friendly restaurant in the northern Illawarra with the intention of closing their other venture, Il Nido, in Balgownie.

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But they decided the suburb was "too close to their hearts" for the eatery to close, so they chose to sell the Thirroul business instead.

Rather than close altogether, Cin Cin will relocate to a smaller venue that will be easier for Guilio and Diana Guiliani (aged 75 and 65) to manage.

"It was time to move on from there, and I've always wanted to have something in the Gwyneville area," son Adrian Guiliani said, who runs the businesses with his parents.

"I was going to lay low for a while and have a break after running two shops.

"But I had a chat with my parents and they still want to work ... they managed Cin Cin and they don't want to retire, this is their hobby."

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Guilio and Diana have owned many popular restaurants around the Illawarra since the mid-1970s, including Costa Azzurra in Fairy Meadow, Guiliani's in Warrawong and the original Pinocchios Pizza in Windang.

In 1999 they opened Il Nido in Balgownie, with Mr Guiliani taking over management in 2010 and expanded the eatery to include a liquor licence among other things.

Amidst the pandemic in 2020, the family further branched out with a mobile food truck which has also been proving popular.

Since announcing they were closing Cin Cin, Mr Guiliani said they've been inundated with messages from grieving northern suburbs residents, but was glad they were able to bring traditional Italian cuisine to Thirroul in a family-friendly environment.

Fans of Cin Cin should expect it to be resurrected as the same family-friendly pizzeria in May or June on one of the main streets of Gwynneville.

While many hearts have been broken in Thirroul, Mr Guiliani hopes northern Illawarra residents will make the journey once it opens.