Snappy Tomato Pizza closing Friday

 

After almost four years in Oak Ridge, Snappy Tomato Pizza will close Friday, the owners said Thursday.

“We have really tried to hang on; however, things appear to continue to go downhill for us both financially and personally,” franchise owners Frances Gross and her daughters Misty Gross Robbins and Cindi Robbins said in a message to supporters and the Oak Ridge community. “Unfortunately, the sales have not been what we need to keep the business going while the new and upcoming retail centers continue to draw business toward the other end of town.”

The family said they have struggled during the past two years grieving the loss of their son and brother Robert Gross Jr., who was also a co-owner but died in August 2012, and battling with cancer surgery and extensive radiation treatments for husband and father Robert Gross Sr.

Now, they’re facing cancer again, only with a more radical surgery, the family said. In a telephone interview Thursday morning, Frances Gross said the last year has taken a toll on the family, and they’ve struggled to stay busy as new restaurants have opened across town, drawing customers away.

“We would like to thank you all for your loyal support and patronage over the past (almost) four years since we opened,” the family said in its statement. “It has truly been a blessing for our family to have had the opportunity to get to know so many of you and to have such an active role being so involved in the community.”

Anyone interested in the restaurant, which is in the Jackson Square area on Oak Ridge Turnpike, can contact Frances Gross at (865) 705-9923 or Misty Gross Robbins at (865) 640-3404.

“Otherwise, all equipment will be for sale and the building available for lease, as we are obligated through October 2015, or until another party takes over,” the family said. The building is owned by Tod Ping, who once used it for Tod’s Maytag Home Appliance.

The family business has been very involved in community events during the past four years, and among other things, Misty Gross Robbins participated in the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Roundtable.

“Please come by and see us Thursday or Friday as we would love to see everyone,” the family said. “We appreciate each and every one of you that has shared in our past four years and will miss you all!”