Maximo's Takeout has Closed its Doors

It is a sad, sad day for Watertown's local food scene. Just a few days after its first birthday, Maximo's Takeout shut its doors. The family owned and operated restaurant, which focused on more wholesome takeout, won awards and accolaides in the short time it was opened. From being reviewed in the Phoenix, to winning awards right here on the Patch,  in the short time it was open Maximo's won our hearts over.

On a personal note, I am very sad to see Maximo's go. The Gartrell family put their heart and sole into the restaurant, and you could taste it in every bite of your meal there. Betsy, Phil, Grandpa and even Max and Mo, were almost always there to greet customers and make their shop even more endearing.

I have to wonder, where is the local business market in Watertown? Besides the pizza shops and Armenian markets (which are all wonderful), why doesn't our town have more local business to draw from?

Why does a great little place like Big Sky Bakery open in downtown, and have to struggle day after day to find enough support, just to stay open? Why does a great diner like Crown Cafe always have open tables during what should be a weekend breakfast rush? Why do we think putting a wrestling store in a downtown shopping plaza is going to bring people to our businesses to support our local economy?

Watertown is an amazing town that seems ripe for a bustling town center with shops and businesses that draw consumers from the surroundin towns. Instead our downtown is a mish-mash of offices and utilities that do nothing to promote Watertown being a destination.

It makes me sad. And it makes me sad that when a great place like Maximo's does open, we don't have the pull to support them enough to keep them open.

That is my rant for the day. Wishing you all the happiest of holidays and a new year filled with a bustling local economy...