Grotto says good-bye, thanks patrons, welcomes incoming Morrtons Too pizzeria
By Kayla Heffner for Ashland.news
It’s the end of a pizza era as The Grotto Pizzeria in Talent served its last slice of pizza Saturday, Sept. 7.
After more than 20 years of slinging pizza pie dough, the pizza restaurant at 302 E. Main St. said goodbye. Patrons packed the house inside and outside for The Grotto’s last night open.
The closing of this business also coincided with the Almeda Fire fourth anniversary event which was held in the Talent Plaza parking lot. Both co-owners, Dave Monroe and Chef Anthony Mouyios, have been actively involved in the Talent community for decades.
Four years ago after the fires this little business plaza became the command center and gathering place for volunteers coordinating services for people in need of help.
Dave Monroe, co-owner of The Grotto, remembers that day well.
“It’s bittersweet. We have been through some ups and downs. We were here during Almeda Fire and COVID. We feel we did what was needed of us to support the community and fire victims. It will be the end of a great time at The Grotto,” Monroe said.
For three months after the fire the pizzeria did a “No Questions Asked” program where they donated free pizzas to fire victims or anyone else who needed food.
The Grotto made a post about their last day on Facebook, writing in part, “We want to say ‘thank you’ from the bottom of our hearts and how much we will miss you all.”
Echo Fields commented on the pizzeria’s last Facebook post, “You were out of pizza dough and everything else by the time I got there at 6:45 BUT that doesn’t matter…I just wanted to tell someone working there that the community appreciates all that you folks have done, particularly after the Almeda Fire. Those acts of kindness helped folks get through some of the hardest days of their lives.”
Other local businesses in Talent gathered donations for gift baskets which were given to Monroe and Mouyios.
Both co-owners gave an impromptu speech to the crowd outside, reminiscing about the wonderful history of the pizza eatery and also asking the local community to embrace the new owners.
“We love all you guys. Thanks for everything, all you guys have been our customers and friends forever. I love everyone of you guys from the bottom of my heart,” Mouyios said.
Monroe said the spot will remain a pizza place. The new owners taking over the spot will be Morrton’s Sports Pizza Bar in Medford, which will call the location Morttons Too.
Journalist Kayla Heffner lives in Ashland. Email her at kheffner1@gmail.com.
