Arepa Factory closes up on Avenue A

[Photo yesterday by Steven]

After nearly five years on Avenue A, Arepa Factory has closed here between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

Ownership made the announcement via an email to customers (H/T John for the email!). They didn't offer a reason for the closure:

We are unfortunately closing our doors at the 147 Avenue A location in our beloved East Village and want to thank our amazing guests for the loyal support you have shown us over the past years.

Business overall must be OK as they also announced that they are opening two new locations soon. In addition, they have an outpost at the Turnstyle Underground Market in the Columbus Circle Subway Station.

The quick-serve Venezuelan restaurant opened in October 2015.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Arepa Factory coming soon to Avenue A

This Thanksgiving, you can have a Thanksgiving arepa

Via the EVG inbox…

The newly opened Arepa Factory (147 Avenue A near East 9th Street) puts a Venezuelan twist on Thanksgiving with a Turkey Day feast you can hold in the palm of your hand. A sweet potato-corn flour Thanksgiving Arepa filled with turkey, gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauce will be available from Tuesday, Nov. 17 through Monday, Nov. 30 for $12.95 (note: Arepa Factory is closed Thanksgiving Day).

Arepa Factory, which opened in October, puts a modern, healthy spin on this traditional Venezuelan dish. Owner Monica Muzzo, a native of Venezuela, designed Arepa Factory to be an authentic Arepera, a casual spot for takeout and dine-in where arepas are filled to order in front of you – with a twist. Chef Rafael I. De Garate oversees a menu that marries Venezuelan tradition with new creative ingredient combinations inspired by the diversity of cultures in New York.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Arepa Factory has opened on Avenue A

Arepa Factory has opened on Avenue A

The quick-serve Venezuelan restaurant opened Saturday at 147 Avenue A near East Ninth Street …



It wasn't open yet for the day when we walked by… but the space looks nice on the inside…

A photo posted by Arepa Factory (@arepafactorynyc) on Oct 9, 2015 at 4:19pm PDT

A photo posted by Arepa Factory (@arepafactorynyc) on Oct 9, 2015 at 4:19pm PDT

Has anyone tried it yet??? (They have a Twitter account here.)

The storefront used to be part of Café Pick Me Up, which decamped to join the Gnocco space on East 10th Street back in June.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Arepa Factory coming soon to Avenue A

Arepa Factory coming soon to Avenue A

A Venezuelan restaurant called Arepa Factory is opening at 147 Avenue A just north of East Ninth Street... EVG contributor Steven, who took these photos of the awning and signage that arrived today, noted that workers on the scene are aiming for an opening as early as Sunday...



The storefront used to be part of Café Pick Me Up, which decamped to join the Gnocco space on East 10th Street back in June. Café Pick Me Up was housed at 145 and 147 Avenue A, and they had two different landlords. (Icon at 145 and Croman at 147. No. 145, the corner space, remains on the market.)

No word at the moment who's behind Arepa Factory...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rent hike forcing Cafe Pick Me Up into its smaller space next door on Avenue A (59 comments)

[Updated] Cafe Pick Me Up expected to close for good after May 31

Café Pick Me Up closes Sunday night ahead of a move to share the Gnocco space on East 10th Street

More about the new Café Pick Me Up-Gnocco combo on East 10th Street