Grille On Main Gives Back To Patrons After Tough Year

The bar at was packed Thursday night as regulars crowded in for the restaurant's 17th annual customer appreciation party.

"These guys support us all year," said bar manager Mario Abbondanza. "We have to give back to them. That's what we do every year."

This year, however, was a little different. This year, the Grille was very appreciative. It's been a tough year for this Main Street fixture. The restaurant, and all the holdings in the Marra Restaurant Group, last December. It was owned by Steve Marra.

In January, sister restaurant and the seven Marra Restaurant Group holdings were put up for sale., a company owned by Steve Marra's brother and father, both named Mike Marra. Steve Marra stayed on to run the restaurants, but .

"Steve was a great man," said Abbondanza earlier this year, citing in particular his kindness to his employees. Many others credited Marra for helping rejuvenate Main Street.

Things began to brighten recently. In November, KBN Group announced plans to reopen the Post Office Cafe sometime in early 2012.

Abbondanza, in between greeting customers and filling orders, acknowledged that this year was different.

"With the receivership and everything else, we're giving back," he said. "They've been here for us."