VERONA, Pa. — The Verona Village Inn in Verona closed Saturday, posting a message on its door and website that the business lost its lease for available parking and “will not be able to operate as a viable restaurant.”
News of the closure, which caught many people by surprise, quickly spread.
“I just heard it on the news last night and I was like, ‘I just got a gift card for Christmas for here,’” Butch Stotler, of Verona, said.
An agreement concerning the rental of a gravel parking lot and refrigeration space at the former Victor Ravioli Foods building next door fell through, leading to the Village Inn’s decision to close.
According to the Pittsburgh Pickle Co., which recently bought the former Victor Ravioli property, it had been in “ongoing negotiations over the past two months” about the Village Inn’s use of the parking lot and refrigeration space and settled on a rental rate that was “well below market rate.” The company added that it was surprised to learn over the weekend that the restaurant closed and that, as a small business itself, it strives to support small businesses.
The owner of the Village Inn said he hopes to find a new location for the restaurant. Outstanding gift cards can be sent to the restaurant for redemption until Feb. 3 (CLICK HERE for more information).
Cox Media Group
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