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Now Closed- Forno

Discussion in 'Area Restaurants, Dining and Food' started by redon1, Jun 2, 2010.

  1. rich351854

    rich351854 New Member

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    Its funny... if we only had a big business that would bring all sorts of professionals and customers in to the neighborhood - I bet these businesses would boom...

    Maybe something like a hospital.

    Thanks again Board Of Supvs, Selfish few in the community, and of course INOVA
     
  2. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    troll
     
  3. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    i dunno- you may not like the delivery but he DOES have a point... i'm just sayin'.

    THAT said- businesses around here also go out of biz due to poor management, not lack of customers. look at dunkin donuts for example. meh.
     
  4. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Truth!!
     
  5. j3mom

    j3mom New Member

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    my husband sent an email, but got no reply. Anyone else able to get a refund? If yes, how did you contact them? Is there a phone number?
     
  6. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    yes call 877-788-7858
    they will issue the refund immediately as long as the certificate has not been used...
     
  7. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    I received an email from Groupon today stating that they are automatically crediting a refund to my card. I already used mine (must have been their last day or two!) so I sent them a message that no refund is necessary for me.
     
  8. Hokie97

    Hokie97 New Member

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    I'm still so sad about them closing. Service was always fine - the waitress we had every time we went wasn't that great but the food was so good that we overlooked her. (She always brought us what we needed just wasn't that knowledgeable about the menu). Anyway, does anyone know where the chef is going...I can't imagine never having that veggie lasagna or their homemade sauce again. :-(
     
  9. H Design

    H Design New Member

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    I do not really understand what happens to quality restaurants out here. Redon1 maybe you can explain it to me. Is it the lack of advertising and the community not knowing what gems we have in the area?

    When I found out about Forno's closing I was very upset. The Chef at Forno's used to be a White House chef he also had a few restaurants in the DC area. Every time my family and I went in there he would talk to us-make us special dishes (not on the menu) and would always bring us different desserts. He made his bread fresh twice daily. I would way rather take my children to Forno's then lets say a Red Robin-but that place always has business.

    I understand if some people had a bad experience with the staff but I still think the food spoke for itself. Granted I really like quality food so a few snafoos in the staff would not deter me from going if the food is great-now it would stop me from going to IHOP.

    Just wondering if someone can enlighten me on why this keeps happening!
     
  10. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    My input? If you don't have the capital to run for 18-24m they never should have opened the shop to start with.

    You're dealing with needing to establish your identity and brand.. and build a following. You can't do that if you can't stay open for more then 6months.

    The franchise stores have that brand and expectations built-in with the chain.. so they don't have to build that image.. just make sure people know they are there.

    Why are these stores failing? Because they are in a crowded market, with expensive costs, and no legs to run it out.
     
  11. Brit

    Brit New Member

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    You also need to find a niche that differentiates you. Yes, food was great, but in a crowded Italian food market with newbies popping up all the time, they had to do more than just provide good food, and I go back to my point about service - it sucked. And the plain fact is that this same crowded market afforded us the option to go elsewhere.

    I also think they struggled with location. That lot has hosted 3 Italian restaurants in a row. So they were somewhat battling with legacy brand perception, even though they had nothing to do with the other restaurants.

    I'm sorry to see them go, we were ready to give them another try.
     
  12. terelli

    terelli New Member

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    I posted about them in January (Forno is good)....but I saw the writing on the wall, and many of the reasons have been stated above.

    Last time my wife and I went there (a week before closing) our pizza order was made incorrectly. We still enjoyed it...but a sign. Not sure they had employees/staff they needed.

    Enzo (chef/owner) seemed pretty stressed the last few times I went in there. The 2 main managers lived pretty far from the restaurant.

    I liked hanging out at the bar there, having some pizza, bread, salad and Peroni.

    Sad to see them go...or anybody go. Empty lots in shopping centers are not a good look for any neighborhood.
     
  13. H Design

    H Design New Member

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    Makes sense-I am with you though-I hate to see businesses close down. Maybe the 4th time will be the charm!
     
  14. Small Brancher

    Small Brancher Member

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    Noticed that the Fitness Place next door to Forno is shutting down also. This plaza is becoming increasingly empty.
     
  15. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    That would explain why my multiple emails over the past couple weeks seeking membership info went unanswered...

    My guess is that the owners of that plaza keep raising rents to levels which make it practically impossible for any small/average business to succeed....
     
  16. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    let the glut of mediocre yet successful national chains begin...
    ashburn has spoken and that is what succeeds here. even one of the worst display of nat'l chain mismanagement continues to stay afloat here: we all know who it is! why? cuz ppl still frequent it despite the suck factor being through the roof.

    luckily leesburg is nearby, and a handful of ashburn independents are fighting to stay alive and giving great service and products.

    :sbox: aaaaand- I'm done. ;)
     
  17. Small Brancher

    Small Brancher Member

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    Had lunch today at Mezza Grill. Talked to the manager about all the vacancies and he noted they were probably one more rent increase away from looking for a new location - someplace cheaper. Do not understand the business rationale where plaza owners would rather have empty space generating no income as opposed to having reasonable rents which might fill those empty spots and keep the existing businesses around.
     
  18. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    which is a horrible shame because Mezza Grill is the best Mediterranean far in Ashburn. I hope they relocate here but I wouldn't be surprised to see them head west to Leesburg or East to Reston where they can be fully supported and appreciated with lots of business, and they can actually work to make money not just pay the rent... :(
     
  19. NittanyMin

    NittanyMin New Member

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    We're with you about Mezza Grill. They have very tasty food and you can always find coupons in the various coupon booklets and mailers we get. Their chicken kabobs and gyros... baklava... Yum! We go as often as we can, but take-out is very easy there, too! Maybe that's dinner tonight :)
     
  20. Brit

    Brit New Member

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    This explains why a flotilla of men were stuffing Mezza Grill menu flyers in mailboxes across Ashburn this week,
     

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