Central Pennsylvania’s restaurant industry can be fickle, and once again the region has been hit with several closures.
Nearly six months into 2022, and a handful of restaurants have already shut their doors.
Fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is to blame for the bulk of closings. Labor shortages and high inflation rank as top reasons restaurants continue to struggle.
Here is a list of some permanent closings in and around the Harrisburg area since the beginning of 2022:
Kokomo’s Sports Bar & Grill
Kokomo’s at 691 Industrial Drive in Newberry Township, York County made the announcement May 2. The restaurant sits off the Lewisberry exit of Route 83.
“I am very very very saddened to announce that last night, Kokomos closed our doors for the last time, due to lack of staff,” read a message. “Effective immediately, we are closed for business. We have loved every minute of our 7.5 years and wish things were different. Thank you so much to our loyal customers we will miss you so much and we appreciate and love you more than you know.”
In 2014, owner Stan Barowski resurrected the Kokomo’s name and concept at the former Alpine Inn.
Kokomo’s had operated in the Harrisburg region with locations in Hampden and Lower Paxton townships and Harrisburg, and built its reputation around wings served dozens of different ways from mild to super hot. Through the years, Kokomo’s had captured top honors in local and state wing contests.
Lapu Lapu Filipino Fusion restaurant closed at 324 Market St. in Lemoyne. File photo by Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com
Lapu-Lapu Filipino Fusion
The restaurant in Lemoyne permanently closed at the end of April.
Husband and wife, Daryl Bingaman and Samantha Stitt, who also own Ego Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing Shop in Lemoyne, opened Lapu-Lapu in September 2021. The restaurant specialized in traditional Filipino cuisine, including lumpia, bbq skewers, adobo and topsilog, a type of marinated pork with garlic fried rice and fried egg.
“Due to labor shortage the restaurant is experiencing, we as a family, are no longer able to keep up with the demands of the restaurant,” the couple shared on Facebook. “We want to thank all of our wonderful guests and employees for supporting us. We are extremely humbled that so many embraced our restaurant during our short run.”
Stitt, who said they want to spend more time with their children, said despite paying competitive wages including between $8 and $10 per hour for servers plus tips and about $1,000 a week for a cook, they struggled with labor issues.
“We tried by ourselves for five months and sometimes you just have to hang it up. We’re exhausted all of the time,” she said.
Ted's Bar & Grill Midtown at 1313 N. Second St. in Harrisburg closed.
Ted’s Bar & Grill
Ted’s location in Midtown Harrisburg closed in April after nearly nine years.
Co-owner Romeo LaMarco said a lack of qualified employees prompted him and business partner, John Saad, to condense operations. They recently also closed Ted’s in Annville, but Ted’s Bar & Grill at 7200 Allentown Blvd. in West Hanover Township remains open.
“Due to the fact we can’t get qualified people, it’s putting too much stress on the qualified employees,” LaMarco said. “We’re doing skeleton crews. It’s not worth it.”
LaMarco said they are sad to say goodbye to the Midtown restaurant, which did an amazing business. The neighborhood bar was known for its wings, beer, dozens of televisions and casual vibe.
“We would love to keep it going. We’ve tried and tried,” he said.
The Colony House Family Restaurant
After a 31-year run, the Mechanicsburg restaurant closed May 14 when owners Tom and Anna Mallios announced their retirement.
The couple opened the restaurant in 1990 at the former The National Hotel at 125 W. Main St.
While not fancy with a diner vibe, the Colony House served breakfasts and homestyle foods. Over the years legions of diners stopped the friendly service and menu of eggs Benedict, ribeyes, gyros and clam chowder.
Wild Tomato Pizzeria
Wild Tomato Pizzeria & Catering at 4315 Jonestown Road in Lower Paxton Township closed in March after 11 years.
“It is with sad news that we announce we will be closing the business due to post pandemic challenges,” said the owners. “We are so sad for the community, we will miss all of the good friends we have met on our wonderful journey! We thank our staff for all of their hard work and dedication and we wish you all the best!”
Owner Paul Francis opened the shop in 2011 and the business earned accolades including recognition as one of USA Today’s 10 Best Gluten Free Pizzerias in America.
Your Place restaurant at 6035 Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township closed. File photo by Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com
Your Place Restaurant & Sports Pub
A 50-year-old central Pennsylvania chain closed one of its restaurants this spring.
The Your Place Restaurant & Sports Pub at 6035 Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township permanently shut on March 13. No reason was given for the closing.
The restaurant opened in 2013 and replaced a Your Place on the opposite side of the Carlisle Pike where Sheetz now operates. It marked the first time Your Place created more of a sports bar vibe at one of its restaurants.
Your Place specializes in appetizers, pizza, salads and sandwiches, and is best known for its”famous” stromboli. Bolis are made from deli meats and cheeses, spices and mustard, and are so popular, the company ships them around the country.
Cafe 1500
The Harrisburg restaurant at Sixth and Reily streets closed in March after an eight-year run.
Business disruptions including lack of staffing, price hikes and COVID protocols contributed to the decision, said owner Ralph Vartan, also chairman & CEO of the Vartan Group.
He said in the past couple of months it had been especially difficult maintaining staffing, a factor that impacted daily operations. Despite the struggles, Vartan emphasized the community has been supportive and the restaurant was busy.
“We’re trying to leave with a positive taste in everyone’s mouth, with a sense of closure and a sense we’re leaving with our heads held high,” he said.
The Fix Cafe on Walnut Street in Harrisburg specialized in coffee drinks including latte art.
The Fix Cafe
A coffee shop that opened in Harrisburg almost two years ago closed in February.
Owners Lakshmi Tanniru and Liz Albayero opened The Fix Cafe at 403 Walnut St. in October 2020 after signing a lease in August 2019. The opening in early 2020 was derailed by the pandemic and related shutdowns.
The Fix was one of the first in the area to create personalized cups of coffee, not with a traditional barista, but with the help of a fairly new technology - a 3D printing latte-art machine. The stainless machines personalize cups of joe with photographs, messages and logos
Albayero said several factors led to the decision to close, including a lack of foot traffic due people working from home as well as rising food prices.
“This block of the downtown is driven by state employees. If they aren’t here there’s no business for us,” she said.
Albayero said she is thankful for the experience and new friends, including local business owners, she met: “There is a little community that really looks after each other and inspires. It’s pretty cool.”