Pocono News Section

Restaurants Closing in Wilkes-Barre Area

Restaurants Closing in Wilkes-Barre Area - Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 4:18PM EST

Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 @ 04:18pm EST
LUZERNE COUNTY- No more sandwiches at Quizno’s on South Main Street Wilkes-Barre. The sub shop is closed.

Dan Becky of Wilkes-Barre said, "I think it's horrible. It's really a very good place and it's going to hurt the downtown."

Owner Seth Brandreth said he lost 30% in sales since last March. “I can't control the economy and there's only so much i can do to keep it going," said Brandreth.

Brandreth said the only option was to close. His Quizno's was viewed as a sign of South Main Street's revitalization, but not anymore. Vern Smedley of Wilkes-Barre said, "Yeah, the economy is going downhill. What do you expect?"

And Quizno's isn't the only restaurant chain feeling the pinch. The sign says it all at Ground Round on Mundy Street in Wilkes-Barre Township. It's closed and thanks for the patronage.

Back on South Main Street, Brandreth hopes Quizno's closing won't lead to more shops leaving. "I still think Wilkes-Barre is going to be great. I still think it's going to recover, I just think with the recession it's going to take a couple of more years."

In a couple of more months, loft apartments will be built on this corner of South Main. It's not clear if more businesses are moving in to replace the Quizno's shop.