Amato’s Woodfired Pizza will be closing its Marion location Saturday, July 19. The restaurant announced the closure on its Facebook page.
“While we’ve been honored to serve this community and create memories with you, the reality is that operating the restaurant in a sustainable way − both financially and personally − has become no longer viable,” the Facebook statement read. “We are deeply grateful for every guest who walked through our doors, every staff member who poured their heart into this space, and every moment we got to be part of your lives.”
The post went on to say the restaurant is still considering what to do with the building, 143 W. Center St., and may pursue catering.
Owners of the restaurant bought the building in 2017 for $500,000 from local real estate developer Lois Fisher. After some delays, Amato’s was able to open its doors in 2022. It has one other location in Delaware.
The news of the closure came Friday, July 11. Since then more than 100 people have commented on the Facebook post.
Bucci’s urges communty to show small businesses ‘grace, patience’ extended to ‘big chains’
Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen made a post of its own encouraging the community to visit Amato’s one last time and thank them “for taking a chance on this town.”
“I don’t just hope they [Amato’s] realize how important of a role they played in reviving hope for our community. I believe they should know it,” the Facebook post read. “They saw something that most didn’t at the time and were willing to take a chance on Marion.”
Bucci’s post went on to ask the Marion community to show small businesses “the same grace, patience, and forgiveness we often extend to the big chains.”
“Our community owes them more than they know,” Bucci’s post read. “When Amato’s moved in, it helped prove that great businesses could believe in Marion. It took the idea of downtown potential and made it real. This is a reminder of how fragile that progress can be. If you love having unique places to gather, eat, and celebrate in this town, please keep showing up for the small businesses that are still here trying to make it work.”
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Amato’s Wood Fired Pizza to close Marion location, community encourage Marion to shop local
Reporting by Abby Bammerlin, Marion Star / Marion Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
