11/01/2011 | Filed In: mayan | jordan | commons | utah | restaurant | closed | recession | economy | sucks
SANDY (ABC 4 News) - The Mayan Adventure and Spaghetti Mama's abruptly closed on Monday leaving around 150 people searching for work.
Employees at the Mexican restaurant began hearing rumors Sunday night about the Mayan closing. Their worst fears came true this morning when managers confirmed that the restaurant would not be reopening.
"They just kind of said all fun things must come to an end and that the Mayan is closing," said Tyce Nielsen, one of the former employees. "That's basically it. We didn't know why."
"That was it," Traci Lujan said. " They said pick up your checks later. I'm sure that a lot of people don't know yet."
Keith Marshall, owner of the Mayan, did not return our calls. Both restaurants were leased by the Larry H. Miller Group to SLC 3.
"Working closely with the Miller Group and the Miller family has indeed been a privilege and a blessing in my life," said John Davie, Director of Operations for SLC 3. "They have all gone out of their way to help us try and make our ventures successful."
The Miller Group has offered all of the employees who were previously working at the Mayan or Spaghetti Mama's a job within the company's theater operations.
"Because a number of employees who worked for both the Mayan and Spaghetti Mama's previously worked for the Miller Group, we are once again offering them opportunity to work with us at our Magaplex Theatres."
While former employees appreciate a second chance, nothing can replace a job they've always loved.
"It was more than just a job," Mary Ellen Wolfe said. "I'm from West Virginia and I don't have any family out here except my husband. I really bonded with all the performers here and we trained together and were together all the time."
"It's the funnest job I've ever had," said Hope McCurdy. "I don't know where we'll go next. There really isn't anything else like it around here."
The reason behind both establishments closing is because neither one was pulling in very much money. The Miller Group plans to turn the Mayan into movie theaters while Spaghetti Mama's will eventually become another restaurant.
