J. Razzo's 2 in Westfield is expected to close soon, too, the owner said.
After eight years in business, a beloved Italian restaurant in Carmel is closing its doors.
J. Razzo's Italian Restaurant will close Sept. 15, owner John Perazzo told IndyStar on Monday.
Perazzo said construction on U.S. 31 and the permanent closure of the exit to Carmel Drive affected his business.
"For the past six years, it was hard for people to find the restaurant or they would get lost," Perazzo said. "The shopping center doesn't have that many tenants anymore. There's only a few of us left."
The project that ended in 2015 turned U.S. 31 into an expressway-style thoroughfare with roundabout entrances and exits, but it caused hardship for several businesses, especially restaurants, which reported losing as much as 50 percent of their customers.
Carmel began a campaign called the #31Bites pledge, which challenged residents to eat and shop along the corridor 31 times during August of 2014.
Some businesses on U.S. 31 also offered special deals and frequent diner cards.
To avoid the same pain with its massive Ind. 37 roundabout construction project that starts next year, Fishers officials have hired a marketing firm to promote businesses along the route and remind drivers they are still open.
The restaurant is at the Hamilton Crossing shopping center, which currently also houses a Chase Bank and Sports Clips Haircuts.
The restaurant is known for showcasing local art and serves traditional Italian dishes including lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, manicotti, rigatoni, pizza, seafood and chicken dishes.
Perazzo said the decision to close did not come easily.
"I am very upset and people don't realize that when a local business closes the whole community is affected," Perazzo said. "I am also upset because my employees have been with me for years and my customers, too."
Perazzo also owns J. Razzo's 2, at 3150 E. Ind. 32 in Westfield, which he also expects to close soon.
"I want to thank my customers for their support through the years, they were more than that, they have become my friends," Perazzo said.