A mainstay of Collingswood dining scene closes after more than two decades
The Tortilla Press, a steadfast presence and pioneer of Collingswood's restaurant scene, went from Mayfair to farewell over Memorial Day weekend.
The Haddon Avenue eatery, known for its Mexican-fusion cuisine and its community-minded owners, announced in an email to customers that it closed its doors for good Sunday after serving patrons during Collingswood's biggest outdoor event, which took place Saturday.
"They say that all good things must come to an end and that is the case with Tortilla Press Collingswood," wrote owners Mark Smith and Lydia Cipriani.
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The couple's other restaurant, the Tortilla Press Cantina in Pennsauken, will remain open, the email added, and will honor all birthday cards, gift cards and loyalty program rewards.
"For over 20 years we have loved being one of your favorite go-to spot as well as your neighbor in this gem of a community and we hope you’ll drop by the Cantina so we can see you again," Smith and Cipriani wrote, signing off with "much love."
Lindsey Ferguson, Collingswood's director of community development, said the borough was grateful to Tortilla Press' owners and staff for being "one of the first restaurants to take a gamble on Collingswood all those years ago, when there was hardly anything else here, and staying on through the pandemic, adapting to changes and always being a mainstay in our community."
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Tortilla Press is the second Haddon Avenue institution to close in recent weeks; earlier this month, DiBartolo Bakery closed after 55 years in business.
The restaurant at Haddon and East Collings avenues "is a prime location geographically and visually," Ferguson noted, expressing optimism that it wouldn't take long for a new business, perhaps a restaurant, to take over the space. "It has a lot of character, and we'll be actively searching for someone or some business to be the next chapter in that building's life."
In 2021, the restaurant underwent a menu and dining room reboot, with veteran Chef Guillermo Veloso sharing the helm in the kitchen with Smith and adding more Cuban-, Caribbean- and Latin-inspired fare.
Ferguson alluded to shifts in Collingswood's food and retail landscape, saying, "Change is tough, but we know that times change and some of these business owners are getting older and want to do new things."
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She credited Smith and Cipriani "for doing what they do at such a high level for so long."
"We will miss them for a lot of reasons, not just the food."
Phaedra Trethan has been a reporter and editor in South Jersey since 2007 and has called the region home since 1971. Contact her at ptrethan@gannettnj.com, on Twitter @wordsbyPhaedra, or by phone at 856.486-2417.
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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Collingswood dining mainstay closes after more than two decades
