The Napoli Group is adding a gelato and Italian pastry shop at The District in Chesterfield Valley, next door to its Napoli Bros. Pizza and Pasta location at 17089 N. Outer 40 Rd.

The concept, called Dolce Napoli, was profiled by St. Louis Magazine in December 2025, when the group said it was targeting a late spring 2026 opening. As of late May, no public announcement has confirmed an opening date or indicated the shop is serving customers. City Council activity in April suggests the project is still advancing.

Here's what's known about the concept.

The Napoli Group, founded in 1989 by Tony and Kathy Pietoso in Clayton, now operates six restaurant concepts across the St. Louis metro. Dolce Napoli will be the seventh, run by pastry chef Meaghan Coltrain, hired in December 2025. Coltrain previously served as executive pastry chef at Gerard Craft's Niche Food Group and at the Missouri Athletic Club. Co-owner Kye Pietoso told St. Louis Magazine that Coltrain has "full creative license" at the new shop.

The menu will feature roughly 18 flavors of gelato, including pistachio, cherry, and kid-friendly options with sprinkles. Expect scratch-made Italian pastries and cookies, fresh bread, and a handful of sandwiches and panini. The signature item: sfogliatella, a traditional Neapolitan layered pastry filled with ricotta.

The storefront is compact at about 600 square feet, built primarily for grab-and-go with a few indoor tables and patio seating. Behind it sits a 2,100-square-foot commissary kitchen that will produce bread and desserts for all six existing Napoli restaurants. Previously, desserts beyond tiramisu and crème brûlée had been outsourced across the portfolio. Coltrain's commissary will also supply a new signature bread to each location.

The Hub's outdoor green space at The District draws families for watch parties, live music, and summer programming. Pietoso told the magazine that foot traffic drove the gelato concept and said the group has discussed offering picnic baskets for families on the lawn.

"It's definitely kid-friendly, and it's missing ice cream, for sure," Pietoso said of The District. "We think gelato is a good fit for this specific area because of the foot traffic and the green area."