Turnover for businesses in the Marshall St. area is generally high, but that does not stop people from wondering what went wrong when a seemingly successful business closes up shop as the Fajita Grill restaurant recently did.

Signs in the windows of the recently vacated storefront tell those passing by that the restaurant will be reopening in Fulton sometime in August 2006, with future locations ‘coming soon’ to Watertown and Auburn, none of which are close to campus.

The Fajita Grill, owned by Josh Molarino and Tony Green, opened in March 2005 and quickly achieved success as a popular place to eat for many Syracuse University students.

Neither Molarino or Green could be reached for a comment.

Many, especially those who were looking forward to visiting the restaurant during their first couple of weeks back, may be surprised to discover that the restaurant closed the doors of its South Crouse Avenue location two weeks ago, said Paul Parker, manager of the Quizno’s Sub next door.

‘The food’s great and (the staff are) nice people, and there’s no reason it shouldn’t be on or near campus,’ said Adam Jeuda, a senior finance and accounting major.

Not all students agreed.

‘It didn’t feel safe there. I had a really awful stomachache after (eating) there the first time,’ said Jimmy Gallagher, a sophomore in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

The departure of Fajita Grill is good news to nearby eateries such as Quizno’s, which sits right next to the restaurant’s former location. According to Parker, the last week has seen an increase in patrons that is ‘a little bit more than usual.’ Parker and other Marshall Street employees are unsure of what will take its place.

With the owners and Crouse Marshall Merchant Association President Jerry Dallas unavailable for comment, the reason behind their moving is unknown. Some may lament the loss of a favorite, but fortunately for them, the area is not lacking in choice when it comes to food.

‘All I ever heard were wonderful things about it,’ said Chris Wakefield, a freshman English literature major, when he learned of the news. ‘It was supposed to be quick and amazingly good tasting, and now it’s closed — which is different from tasty.’

Published on September 6, 2006 at 12:00 pm