Arrivederci

by Talk Business & Politics ([email protected]) 98 views 

Here’s another item for foodies, though not necessarily happy news.

Mezza Luna, a Fayetteville Italian eatery, recently closed its doors.

The restaurant owed state back taxes, and chef/owner Juan Barcenas said he is working out a way to pay them.

It is worth noting that the restaurant also stopped paying its city taxes in June, according to a report from the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission.

Barcenas previously owned Picasso’s Pizza in west Fayetteville and worked as a chef at Bordino’s for many years before opening Mezza Luna in March 2009 in a strip center just north of Baum Stadium.

Barcenas seems optimistic about the future.

From the restaurant’s Facebook page, a post from Feb. 21: “I will be shutting the doors of Mezza Luna after service on Saturday night to open new doors of opportunity in the near future.”

Although he says he has not worked out any details, Chef Juan told Whispers he hopes to open a Southwest-themed restaurant at a new location with better traffic soon.