Mansuetos Closes Up

Warren's Mansuetos Seafood Shop has closed, a victim of the economic downturn of recent years, according to co-owner John Ramella.

Ramella and his brother Dan purchased the business about 3½ years ago. The shop was located in Watchung, but they moved to the current Mountain Boulevard location in Warren in May. Hoping to take advantage of Warren's larger customer base, and a larger shop, the business was hampered by the power outages following Hurricane Irene in August and the nor'easter in October.

But it wasn't the outages that did the damage—Ramella said the storms' aftermath hurt, but the decision was made when Thanksgiving sales fell to level the lowest in years.

"Our thanksgiving, which should have been better then previous years, and with a bigger customer base, was 20 percent off and our worst in four years," he said. "That is what ultimately forced this decision."

Ramella said he and his brother have other business interests to fall back on, but were saddened to have to close the store.

At about 1 pm. Wednesday, subscribers to the shop's email notices received the following message:

"To the best customers a business could ever have, we sadly  have run out of time and money and we must close our doors. We were hoping to be open for Christmas but we just can not make it.  Please keep us in your prayers as we have allot of financial concerns to work out. We  appreciate your support over the last  31/2 years, however, our efforts to make this work have ended. It has been a pleasure to serve you and for us to get to know you!

"Please place your Christmas orders with Westfield Seafood 220 South Avenue
Westfield, NJ 07090   908-233-3042 They will more then take care of you and tell Vince we sent you!

"email us or visit Facebook if you would like to communicate with us.

"Thank you so much it has truly been an honor! 
"MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

"Sincerely,
"John & Dan Ramella"