Owner: Lack of parking dooms lunches at Roberto's

YOUNGSTOWN — Roberto’s Italian Ristorante is ending weekday lunch service today because, its owner says, there isn’t adequate parking in the city’s downtown.

“There are people working downtown, but you’re not getting people from the suburbs or from other parts of the city coming to eat because there’s not much parking,” said Robert Faraglia, Roberto’s owner. “No one has an issue paying for parking. The issue is there isn’t enough parking spots downtown.”

Lunch customers who park at meters have to keep an eye on their spot while eating, he said.

“We have people running outside continuously putting money in the meters because they don’t want to get a ticket,” Faraglia said. “Who can enjoy a lunch like that?”

The restaurant at 103 W. Federal St. opened three years ago.

Roberto’s will continue to serve dinners seven days a week. It hasn’t served lunch on weekends.

For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com