Italian Takeout Spot Shuts Down Melrose Location

MELROSE, MA — The Melrose location of a local Italian restaurant chain has closed.

Comella’s at 478 Main St. permanently closed its doors on Saturday, March 20, according to the business. Comella’s Melrose launched in the summer of 2014, and was the 11th location for the franchise at the time of the opening. The company’s leadership cited operational and financial challenges as the reason for the shutdown, according to a report from MassLive. It added that it appreciates the Melrose community customer base.

The business was founded by Gene Comella in 1988, with its first location being at 27 Washington St. in the town of Wellesley.

“I believed that the Boston suburbs needed a family oriented food retailer. A place where anyone, young or old, professionals, laborers, students, and especially families, could buy homemade Italian foods at very affordable prices,” Comella said. “For over three decades, that hasn’t changed and we still make our products by hand, using the highest quality ingredients.”

Comella’s has since expanded with locations in Newton, Belmont, Concord, Natick, Higham, West Roxbury, and Marblehead.

Comella detailed how his three sons, Matt, Greg, and JP, eventually joined the business after years working in other professional fields. Greg Comella played seven years in the NFL, which included him playing in Super Bowl XXXV for the New York Giants.

“The lessons learned by them were invaluable,” Gene Comella said. “Toughness, overcoming adversity and never giving up, would be key to helping grow the company successfully.”

Gene Comella expressed his desire and plans to expand his franchise nationally in the future.

See Also:

Melrose Offering Financial Opportunity To Those Seeking Collegiate Education

Brookline Chinese Restaurant Is Closing Its Doors This Summer

Melrose Orchestra To Share Its Instruments With Young Minds Before Family Concert

Melrose Paramedic Graduates From Firefighting Academy

Melrose Foundation Will Honor Educator With Brand New Award

Melrose City Councilor Making A Run At State Rep.

Melrose Gets More Than $1 Million In Federal Funds For 2 Projects

Melrose Fire Station Closed For Construction

New Wine Bar Aims To Be Gathering Place For Melrose Community

Melrose Police Officer Recognized For Feline Fire Rescue