Revived Arthur Treacher's in Garfield Heights brings number of beloved restaurants to two

Northeast Ohio Arthur Treacher's fans have double the opportunity to get their fix of fish and chips, now that the Garfield Heights restaurant location has reopened.

Arthur Treacher's on State Road in Cuyahoga Falls had been the sole free-standing location left in the nation before developer George Simon reopened the Garfield Heights spot Feb. 23. Simon bought the property from Ben Vittoria, who closed the Garfield Heights Arthur Treacher's location in June 2021, and owns what had been the last remaining location in Cuyahoga Falls.

Simon didn't originally buy the Garfield Heights property planning to reopen the restaurant. But when he visited Vittoria at his State Road location in 2021 to wrap up the purchase, he was impressed with how busy the restaurant was with its loyal following.

After visiting the State Road spot to celebrate the Falls restaurant's 50th anniversary last June, Simon knew he wanted to reopen the Garfield Heights location.

More:Last Arthur Treacher's celebrates half-century in the Falls

"I saw the mayor of Cuyahoga Falls (Don Walters) was there; people were taking pictures. I saw ... one husband and wife from Wisconsin and they had original Arthur Treacher's T-shirts that they gave out 50 years ago," Simon said. "It brings back a lot of nostalgia.

"Something kicked in and I said, 'Why don't I explore bringing back Arthur Treacher's in Garfield Heights,'" Simon said.

Vittoria, who has owned the State Road Arthur Treacher's since 1988, trusted that Simon would be true to the iconic brand. He put him in touch with TruFoods, which holds the franchise rights for Arthur Treacher's in Ohio and beyond.

Garfield Heights Arthur Treacher's is carryout only

The Cleveland-area location, at 12585 Rockside Road, offers carryout only. Orders are not taken by phone and are available in-person only. An app is expected to be offered in the next couple weeks for ordering.

A pickup window also is expected to be available in the future for pre-orders. It will not include a traditional drive-through.

For now, the Garfield Heights restaurant is offering fried fish, chicken, chips and hush puppies during its busy Lenten opening season. Butterfly shrimp and clams will be offered soon, said Simon, a Brecksville resident.

Looking for a fish fry?:Check out the ultimate Greater Akron fish fry guide for Lent 2023

He'll be assessing the demand for popcorn shrimp and also will decide later if he'll add tables and chairs inside.

"Last weekend, we were out the door" with lines of customers, Simon said. "We're movin' 'em fast."

"We're very into service and the amount of time that it takes to get your food," said Simon, who said it takes six minutes to cook the fish and chicken.

He stressed that the food is the same proprietary formula that it's always been for the Arthur Treacher's battered fish and chicken, as well as the chips.

"We're building the brand and we're trying to bring the brand back to the whole world," said Simon, who has a developmental agreement to open more locations in Ohio and beyond.

Simon said those over 40 are most likely to recognize the Arthur Treacher's name. But younger generations have created a new following, too.

"What happens is the people that talk about it intrigue the people that don't know about it," he said. "The buzz is pretty cool."

More:Nation's last Arthur Treacher's in Cuyahoga Falls keeps reeling in customers during Lent 🐟

The Garfield Heights restaurant, which opened in 1978, has been updated with all-new equipment, floors, bathrooms and a digital menu. It employs more than 20, including Ryan Nicholas, who formerly worked for Vittoria at State Road and the former Waterloo Road and Summit Mall Arthur Treacher's locations.

The Garfield Heights location does not yet have a website or Facebook page. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

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Simon has an Akron connection: He owns Cedarwood Valley Office Park in the Liberty Commons area of the Merriman Valley, where he's currently converting one of five buildings for multifamily residential use.

"We want to wish George the best," Vittoria said of Simon's Arthur Treacher's venture. "The excitement that it's created will benefit Cuyahoga Falls."

Arts writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Revived Arthur Treacher's reopening in Garfield Heights