One study showed that small business revenue declined by 25% in the state between April 2020 and April 2021. This loss of business has not been uncommon among Massachusetts small businesses during the pandemic. “We had some great, great customers, loyal customers,” she said.

Moore said that although delivery orders helped sustain the business, it suffered from a loss of customers when Tufts moved to online instruction in spring 2020. Anyone that came for a job… I paid by check and they needed cash, and I wasn’t paying cash,” she said.ĬOVID-19 had a significant impact on Espresso Pizza as a small business that relied on the patronage of Tufts students. Trouble staffing the restaurant factored into Moore’s decision to close down after so many years. “But they all offered to work for us when they found out we were closing because we couldn’t get help. “ I only had two or three work for me,” Moore said. Moore expressed her love for Medford and Tufts in an interview with the Daily, explaining that she employed a few Tufts students at Espresso during her 9 years running the restaurant. “My Miller Hall neighbors and I ordered delivery nearly every weeknight (not joking!),” a loyal Tufts customer wrote. We’ll have to come by for one last pizza before you close,” one commenter wrote.Īmong the commenters were Tufts students and alumni, who shared stories about working at the restaurant and eating pizza with friends. “You have the best pizza I’ve ever had! You will be greatly missed, but wishing you the best in your retirement.

The Facebook post garnered a slew of comments from members of the Medford community. “When he passed away, I was determined to keep his legacy alive,” Moore added on Facebook. Espresso has been part of the Medford community since the 1970s, when Salvato first opened the pizzeria. Moore took over after her brother, Anthony Salvato, Jr. “After 9 great but long and exhausting years, I will be retiring and Espresso pizza will be permanently closing,” Moore wrote in the post. 17, Patty More, the owner of Espresso, wrote that she was retiring. 21 Facebook post that it was permanently closing its doors after over 40 years in business.

restaurant popular among Tufts students, announced in a Dec.