Montco's Arpeggio is forced to close before it moves nearby
The idea was that Arpeggio and the Starbucks next door would simply close on one day and open in the new construction on the next day. But this is not to be.
How's this for a sour note?
Arpeggio - Mary Gigliotti Cullom and Hamdy Khalil's long-running Italian-Mediterranean BYOB in Spring House Village (near Ambler) - has been preparing for a move to a new building across the parking lot for the better part of two years. A Whole Foods store is on the way, as the center is revitalized.
From the start, the plan had Arpeggio and the Starbucks next door simply closing one day and opening in the new construction the next day. But this is not to be.
The developer recently informed Cullom and Khalil that the restaurant must close after dinner Saturday, May 6 because the wrecking ball will be swinging on Monday, May 8. Although Starbucks moved (even picking up a drive-thru), Arpeggio will be down for about a month until its new space is ready, 75 yards away. It will be closer to the intersection of Bethlehem and Sumneytown Pikes.
No matter that May is one of the busiest months of the year, with Mother's Day and graduations.
Plan is to reopen in early June.
For the new space, DAS Architects is working with 60 percent more floor space - 4,550 square feet - and 24-foot high ceilings.
The restaurant will seat 120 in two rooms - separated by a two-sided fireplace - and will have a covered 1,100-square-foot deck with 50 seats overlooking ponds. The restaurant will also include 118 wine lockers.