Quiz-NO

Quizno's - on the cursed corner of death by the Desert Foothills / Chandler road Safeway intersection has gone to the ovens. I went there once since it was opened, and they seemed nice enough, but no promotion and a Subway 52 feet away probably did them in. Also - let's not forget the stank on that corner - where every restaurant is one of two things - dead, or dying.

This is the beginning of the end for Ahwatukee.

The lady that cuts my hair said she was moving to another salon because there was no place left to get lunch on that end of Chandler, and business was dropping off. When you can't sell $10 haircuts the bell is ringing for you.

Quizno's - we hardly knew ya. Ahwatukee - ditto...

Papa Murphy's - Death at 425 Degrees - Ahwatukee Location to Close

Ok Bob - what have you got for a new pizza concept?

Boss - I got a winner! A certified, gold plated winner!

I'm all ears Bob - what IS IT?

We create a pizza place where customers buy the pizza raw and have to cook it themselves!

Why would someone want to do that? Is it cheaper?

Nope - it's actually more expensive!

Well, does it taste better made at home?

Nope, amateurs cook it at home in ovens that can't get a high enough temperature!

Well, is it faster?

Nope, between watching it be made, taking it home and cooking it, it takes way longer!

So Bob, I'm confused - why would something like this be successful?

Boss - we tell 'em that if they don't buy it and cook it at home, they don't love their family.

Bob?

Boss?

You're fired.

The Little Cheese Shop that Couldn't

The Wedge and Bottle Cheese Shop in Ahwatukee has slipped under the waves and is no more. This place was actually great - and didn't deserve to end up in the Ahwatukee Bowl Swirler. Sandwiched between a pop-up vacuum repair place and a dog food store, you knew that death was going to visit sooner or later. It closes for good on June 30th. Too big to fail? Too good to fail? Too small to matter? It matters not in the Tuk....

Arbys - Thinly Sliced Death

The Arby's at Chandler and 42nd has ground to a thinly sliced halt and is no more. Signs down, building gutted within minutes of closing. Arby's was always one of those "once a year" places - and I guess I wasn't the only one. The funeral pyre created some curly smoke, but alas - this one is done. The Beast that is Ahwatukee claims another soul....

Fresh and Dead

While not necessarily a restaurant, the Fresh and Easy in the mall on 48 and Ray with the Goodwill has put on it's organic Birkenstocks for the last time. Had a good selection of pre-made dinners and sides that were good for the college crowd, but alas, when you give away $20 of coupons with every $10 purchase you may have a problem with your business model. This one has obtained nirvana and shifted to another state of consciousness. Ahwatukee claims another victim....

Well, not a restaurant...

It looks like Tuesday Morning has bailed out of the shopping center on Chandler Ave with Trader Joe's in it.

Basically a second hand store, I hear they are moving to another location closer to their location on Warner by Harbor Freight. Don't get it - but.

One less place to buy old junk in Ahwatukee.

BTW - the Goodwill is looking really, really bare. I mean no furniture. Could death's bony hand be hoering over that location?

El Macaroni is gone. The bony hand of death reached out.....

Romano's Macaroni Grill closed Oct. 24 after 14 years in Ahwatukee Foothills.

"Our lease expired and we decided not to renew this particular location," the company said in a post on their corporate Facebook page. "While it is always a tough decision to close a restaurant, we have offered transfer opportunities to our team members from the Ahwatukee location and hope that you'll come see them at our other Phoenix-area locations."

The closure of Macaroni Grill leaves On The Border as the only remaining restaurant at the corner of Ray Road and 50th Street. Rock Bottom Brewery closed in June.