Open and Shut Cases
One local business shutters its doors for good while a few others reopen for business.
Norristown Patch was tipped off last week to the Old Country Buffet in East Norriton shutting its doors via a Facebook post from a reader questioning the sudden departure.
According to a story in The Times Herald, Buffet, Inc. the company that owns Old Country and five other buffet-style restaurants across the country, is reorganizing under Chapter 11 bankruptcy. A total of 81 Buffet, Inc. restaurants across the country were closed, including five in Pennsylvania.
“The decision to close these restaurants, though difficult, resulted from a comprehensive, store-by-store analysis of financial performance, occupancy costs, market conditions and the long-term strategy of our reorganized restaurant portfolio,” Buffets, Inc. CEO Mike Andrews said in the release.
For Norristown residents who can't live without Old Country Buffet and don't mind a drive, the closest locations now are in and Downingtown and Reading.
While OCB was closing it's doors in East Norriton, across town in West Norriton, Ginos Ristorante & Pizzeria was working on getting it's doors reopened – a feat they accomplished on Monday of this week.
Gino's had closed down for repairs after a car crashed into the rear of the popular Italian eatery shortly after 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23. The driver of the car and a waitress who suffered first- and second degree burns when a fryer shifted and splashed some hot oil on her arm and face.
The rear entrance and wall of the restaurant reportedly suffered som structural damage leading to the closure, but everything is right as rain now and Gino's is back in business.
Read more about the crash here on The Herald's website.
Across town the other way, Ah's Garage Sale in Norristown has also reopened. The second-hand store closed down back in October of last year after a run-in with the law brought out the fire marshal, who found numerous code violations.
According to the folks in the Code Enforcement Department at Norristown Municipal Hall, Ah's has made the necessary improvements and is cleared for business again.
You can read more about that October closing here and the legal troubles that initiated the action here.
Do you know of business that's closing in Norristown? How about a new business opening up? Let us know! Email james.myers@patch.com or send us a message on Facebook or Twitter.
John Kolb
7:02 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Ray's Diner is also now closed, and their web site is also down. Why are so many good food places not staying open?
James Myers
9:49 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
It's funny you mention Ray's, John. They were part of that original Facebook conversation. Ray's closed early last week to take care of some electrical problems they were having. They were hoping to be open in a few days, but they're still working on it. Talked to someone there just now who said they're hoping to be open by the weekend if the township allows. Let's hope for the best.