Route 9 Restaurant Closes Its Doors
The restaurant is the first Framingham business to close in 2013.
Top Shelf Restaurant has served its last meal.
The owners announced the restaurant's closing on its Facebook page: "To all our customers, we regret to inform you that we have had to close effective 1/1/2013."
The owners wrote "Due to extraordinary town fees and regulations, as well as these economic times, it has made it impossible for us to continue. We continue to look for investors that may allow us to return. We thank you all for your business over the past 2 years and hope some day, to serve you once again."
Framingham natives Adam and Jamie Sinewitz along with their father Gary had opened Top Shelf Restaurant in 2011, in the former site of Bronzetti's Pizzeria.
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Wednesday, when Patch contacted the restaurant, they said they hope to eventually re-open, but there is no timetable.
Perry Lowell Bent
7:34 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Bummer. Good food (great mac-n-cheese) and a nice atmosphere. We'll miss it!
Katherine Carmel
7:56 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Location ,Location,Location... visibility of this restaurant was terrible.Set behind PC Health stop.People often first visit a restaurant when they are "looking" for a place to eat.I had Noticed this restaurant,but never bothered to stop.For me, I guess it was just about curb appeal.( I make a point to support our local private businesses)
I feel sad for the owners,and hope they can find a location in the future that will make them shine.Wishing them the best.
Leah Graves
11:49 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
It was a terrible location but a special gem. I really enjoyed the staff, the menu and how they supported beer made in MA. Hopefully they will find a better spot. Move to Natick or Southboro perhaps??
Marina Whall
12:36 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
I'd like to hear some more information about the "town fees and regulations" and how that impacted their ability to make the restaurant work. Like others, I had heard of Top Shelf, intended to check it out, but never really knew where it was. We don't go out to eat much, but I'm sad to learn they closed. How can we find ways to support local businesses?
Brenda Crawshaw
1:20 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
I am with you, Marina! I want to know more so I can do what I can as a citizen to get the PTB in Framingham to streamline the experience for businesses here in town. It's crazy that they aren't making themselves the EASIEST place to be rather than one with a reputation for being difficult. It's such a shame!
Susan B
2:01 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
I am so sorry to see this nice restaurant close. And upset to hear that the town's "extraordinary fees" were part of the reason. It's a shame when local businesses have to close. I hope the owners can try again elsewhere.
Susan Petroni
4:15 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
@Marina & Brenda: I agree it would be great to support local establishments.
My family loves - J&M Diner, CJ's Northside Grill and La Cantina ... but we also visit so many others in town. We try not to visit the chains too often.
Jenn Bell
10:33 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
Look at the letter included with your most recent Framingham property tax bill (ours arrived Thursday, 1/3/13) , and you'll see where instead of increasing taxes extraordinarily for residential property, they shifted much of the tax burden to commercial properties. I'd say this restaurant (which I've never seen or heard of, and I drive on Rte 9 daily) had some serious financial issues already if taxes were the breaking point.
Steve Dressler
8:47 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
Enjoyed Top Shelf very much. Went there twice over the holiday break and the whole family loved it. Too bad because there isn't any comparable places located nearby. Looks like we'llk have to head back into Boston.
just saying
10:28 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
I think it is important to support local businesses! Sorry to hear this one closed.
Wake Up
11:36 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Another success story for Time Magazine's Man of the Year... "Due to extraordinary town fees and regulations, as well as these economic times".
All you fools who voted in the cast of Democrats err Deviants into office get what you deserve. Going on 5-years and the government gets bigger, it taxes us more, and businesses and people fail. But isn't he wonderful!
Bet you were smoking your medicinal Mary Jane before the law went into effect.
Pass the bong and keep it low.
Athena
12:26 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Wake Up - my sentiments exactly! Right on!
Really?
7:50 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
You're easily fooled. The place was already in financial trouble before this.
M.S
10:13 am on Monday, January 14, 2013
So much for the party of personal responsibility. Lets see. Bad location, risky buisness in general (how many new restaurants actually succeed), but it must all be Obama's fault.