Westfield Storefront Shuffle: Theresa's Closes Down

WESTFIELD, NJ - Another opportunity for another business on Elm Street as Theresa's Restaurant has closed after 25 years. In a letter, owner Robert Scalera shared his reasons for closing up shop.

To all my family, friends and loyal customers:

After an amazing 25 years of serving the Westfield community, I am closing the doors of Theresa's Restaurant. While I am ending this professional chapter, I will be moving on to other another business opportunity.

This decision was not an easy one and along with it, comes much sadness and a heavy heart. I have truly enjoyed serving you all with delicious and memorable meals at Theresa's, Isabella's, and Mojave Grill over the years. I have met so many interesting and kind people who became regular patrons and participated along with me at school, charitable fundraisers, and community events. I am eternally grateful and will miss each and every one of you.

Downtown Westfield has been a wonderful place to conduct business but unfortunately, difficult economic times and regulatory restrictions make it impossible to keep the doors open.

I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life and hopefully, our paths will cross again soon.

Sincerely,
Robert Scalera

Executive Director of Downtown Westfield Corporation Sherry Cronin said the business would be missed.

“We already miss Theresa’s delicious food and their dedicated staff. Not only will we will miss seeing Bobby downtown racing through the restaurant talking with patrons and conversing with fellow business owners on the sidewalk, we will miss Theresa’s presence at community events and fundraisers which we could always rely upon," she told Patch. "The Westfield community is grateful for the 25 years of great food and friendship”.

Theresa's closing comes on the heels of last week's announcement that Ambeli Greek Tavern, also on Elm Street, is closing and that the highly anticipated Bareburger would be delayed from spring until fall.

But closings also lead to other opportunities as Spice Bazaar - Casual Indian Dining is moving into the Ambeli space in May and new businesses such as Cinnaholic, Innovasion Taco, Buddha Sushi, and Portokali Modern Grill are slated to open.

Mayor Shelley Brindle repeated her stance last week that she does not rely on the downtown vacancy rate as a success metric.

"And I won't, until we have sufficiently addressed the root of the problem, which is a lack of daytime foot traffic," she said. "Retailers and restaurants can not survive on weekend business alone."

Brindle said that local employers are the biggest driver of weekday foot traffic whose employees shop in the stores and eat in the restaurants.

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