SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Earlier this month it was reported that Acropolis Pizza House, a longtime Marshall Street resident in Syracuse, would be closing its doors and a popular Southern fast-food chain would be taking its place. Popeyes will be taking place of the almost 40-year old restaurant later this year.
However, not all Marshall Street customers are excited about the change. Shane Wright says he prefers that chains did not become more prevalent on the hill.
“I mean if it was to change the landscape and it looked like a bunch of fast-food restaurants over here I would probably not eat over here at all,” Wright said.
Starbucks, Dunkin’, Chipotle, and Insomnia Cookies are just a few of the national brands that have stores on Marshall Street. Another long-time business on the hill is Varsity Pizza, which has been in business since 1926. Eric Ockert says he does not anticipate a big change in Varsity’s business model despite the change down the block.
“This is the Varsity,” Ockert said, “we’re going to get our gameday crowds, we’re going to get our lunch rushes, our hospital workers, the students, that’s not going to change.”
On top of that, Ockert also claims that Varsity’s pizza operations might see a boost with the closing of Acropolis down the street. He thinks that the newness of Popeyes at first might take some business away from Varsity, but does not see that being a long-term issue.
“I would imagine initially at least that might take away a little business but that will be for the first couple of weeks and then everything will go back to normal,” Ockert said.
There’s not an official date for Popeyes opening on Marshall Street, but don’t expect any panic to be steaming from their new neighbors over at Varsity.
