College Square Pizza Still Dark

Another week has passed without word from College Square Pizza owner Theo Tsitos or information about his whereabouts or whether the pizzeria will reopen.

And while there is no town regulation preventing the Washington Street establishment from reopening after abruptly closing around Memorial Day, the town's health inspector responsible for the establishment said she'd expect some answers before the first slice was sold.

"I would immediately investigate the reason for the closure and find out who is in charge," Health Inspector Holly Detroy said.

She said the town's bylaws require that a certified food manager be at establishments selling food to the public.

Detroy said it is not unusual for restaurants in Wellesley to close for vacation during the slow months of July and August. And, she said, they don't have to notify the Health Department they are closing for short periods, but they usually notify the public.

For example, Tutto Italiano on the same block at College Square recently closed for vacation. A note was posted on the door of Tutto Italiano giving specific dates that it would be closed, and a specific date it would be reopened - and it reopened exactly as stated.

A note on the door of College Square Pizza said it would reopen soon, but it has been closed for approximately six weeks. Also, food was left to rot in the establishment, which had to be thrown away by the building manager after a complaint to the health department.

With the pizzeria in seeming limbo, it is unclear what plans property owner Sullivan and Company have for the site, whether it has initiated eviction proceedings or how long such proceedings would take. It is also unclear whether Tsitos, or a member of his family, has plans to reopen.

No one was available from the company for comment on Friday afternoon and previous inquiries have been met with "no comment."