As Freda’s Fish Fry resta
urant closes on North Main Street in Wayland, the Acqua In Vino specialty wine and cheese shop has opened on South Main.
Alicia Thorpe, owner of Freda’s, posted on Facebook Tuesday, “To all my friends… Today, I have made the hardest decision that I could. I am closing my establishment.
“I am tired of working so hard and having no support from local DDA, Wayland Chambers, City Hall, PCI, and the local police department. I truly feel it’s not going to change until they change people in charge.
“I could go into detail outing all involved, but I am a better person than that. I am sorry to all who enjoyed our food. I will keep all posted if I choose to reopen in a different town.
“I have enjoyed all of you, I’m sorry… I’m not wiping spit off me any more.”
She mentioned a web site people should visit, but going there yielded no results. She was particularly critical of a member of the Downtown Development Authority, but declined to identify her.
Freda’s appeared to be closed Monday, but there was much chatter on social media explaining that the eatery always is closed Mondays. Thorpe e-mailed townbroadcast.com Sunday night to indicate she would appear before the City Council Monday evening, but she did not.
Freda’s Fish Fry three years ago was the center of a controversy over her placement of a colorful trailer advertising the business in front of her old business site at the mini-strip mall next to Bentley’s Party Store. City officials insisted the trailer violated downtown business district zoning rules.
After agreeing to remove the trailer Thorpe moved her restaurant to the west side of North Main Street. She said she closed the store and took out furniture and equipment Saturday night. City Manager Mike Selden Monday evening said he didn’t know of any problems between her and the city since then.
Meanwhile, Arny Rodriguez, owner of TPS employment services on West Superior, has opened his specialty shop, which includes specialty wines, cheeses, craft beers and meats. The building, just to the north of Henika District Library, had been vacant for a long time.
PHOTOS: Acqua In Vino Freda’s Fish Fry