On Thursday, September 14, Glenside Local picked up a post from a seasoned staff member of Marco Polo Ristorante & Bar in Elkins Park which claimed that the restaurant is closing for good.

The Philadelphia Inquirer highlighted the alleged closure on Wednesday, September 20 in an article which included the staff member’s post. A reporter spoke with co-owner Tony Duva, who said that the restaurant’s future is still uncertain.

However, Maria Romano, a Realtor, told the same reporter that the lease has ended and the property is up for grabs. The advertisement can be found below:

From The Inquirer’s article:

Marco Polo in Elkins Park Square (Old York Road and Church Roads) has been closed since June 18 by smoke and water damage after a fire in its shopping center. The landmark Italian restaurant seems to be gone forever, though management has been silent since posting a statement in June that the closing is temporary. Last week, a reputed “longtime former employee” posted on the Elkins Park Happenings Facebook group what appeared to be a farewell, sparking anguish from customers. I called Tony Duva, who with his family has owned Marco Polo for 18 of its 28 years. He said that they were still awaiting a resolution from the insurance company and that nothing has been resolved about the future. However, Maria Romano, a Realtor with Delphi Property Group, said the lease is up and she is offering the space. Quick now: What was the restaurant in Marco Polo’s space before Chef Lo opened it in 1995? Read down for the answer.

The restaurant has been listed as “Temporarily closed” on Google since June after a fire in Elkins Park Plaza caused damage to the building at 8080 Old York Road. A notice was posted to Marco Polo’s website shortly after the incident.

The answer to The Inquirer’s question: Before it was Marco Polo, it was Gullifty’s, related to the Bryn Mawr restaurant.

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