1/20/08

Matta's RIP

If you aren't from Mesa, you won't understand the earth-shaking magnitude of this statement: After 55 years in business, Matta's has closed its Main Street location.

Unbelievable. Shocking. Ridiculous.

Andrew, Ashley, Mom, Becky and I managed to get in for dinner on the final night (after a 2 hour wait). There were people there dressed in all black...mourning. The people at the table next to us drove from two hours away and then waited for two hours just for one final meal there.

It defies explanation. When 19 out of 20 new restaurants fail, why would anyone close down a successful one? Sell the dang thing don't close it!

Granted, I don't even like the food that much (Tia Rosa's has won my heart). It is just that this place has transgenerational significance. Growing up we only went to a "nice restaurant" (i.e., one with a waiter) a few times a year. It was almost always Matta's.

Here's my idea of what they should do...Rosa's (University & Mesa Dr.) should move into the Matta's location. It is a bigger facility and tens of thousands of people are already familiar with going there.

My extended family has been unofficially looking to the Mervyn's on Stapley & Main as the barometer of whether or not Mesa is going to make it as a viable city or descend into an irretrievable ghetto. Matta's closing completely blindsided us.

2 comments:

Melissa said...

I had no idea that this occurred. It is a bit scary to think of what surrounds the Mesa Temple now. What is happening to our Main street Mesa?

pam said...

Did they not give any indication as to why they closed? It is kind of sad even for those of us who didn't grow up in Mesa. All the years we lived in Phoenix, we ate there numerous times and they seemed to have a booming business going.