Troubled Pizzeria Roma changes ownership structure

Medford restaurant Pizzeria Roma, formerly Near East Caf?©, closed over the semester break and was replaced by a new restaurant, Helen's Roast Beef and Pizzeria.

The new restaurant will not be included in the MOPS program, although it is currently unclear who made that decision.

Helen's menu still proclaims, "We have points!"

However, Helen's co-owner David Qyrasi clarifies, "we don't have points anymore -- it was a Tufts University decision."

"There wasn't much interest. In the future, maybe."

This account contrasts with Dining Services Director Patti Lee Klos, who said the new restaurant owners originally told her the new business would be on the points program.

Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senator John Valentine on the TCU service committee confirmed that Helen's would not be participating in the MOPS program. According to Valentine, the restaurant's new owners did not like the 15 percent commission that Dining Services charges restaurants for all points orders.

"They thought the 15 percent commission... was just too much," Valentine said.

There is also confusion over the new ownership structure of the restaurant. Klos was told that former Pizzeria Roma owner Fatma Ugur would be staying on in some capacity, but Qyrasi said the restaurant was under completely new ownership.

The restaurant has been heavily promoting the new owners in hopes of distancing Helen's from a bad reputation that followed Near East Caf?© even after it changed its name to Pizzeria Roma.

"We remodeled, we've been closed for a month and a half, everything's all totally brand new," Qyrasi said.

The kitchen and fixtures have also been upgraded.

According to Klos and Qyrasi, Pizzeria Roma closed because of the Ugur's lack of employees, and a disadvantageous dependency on Tufts students who leave in the summer months. Ugur had told TCU senators working with her that "99 percent" of her business was from Tufts students.

"She didn't have any help," Qyrasi said of his restaurant's former owner. "You have to watch out for the food and take care of the customers and try to make everybody happy as much as you can."

Klos agreed, saying that Ugur was often working alone and that she would not have been able to stay open relying solely on Tufts-related business -- especially when working by herself.

Ugur's problems started when she took a two-year medical leave. She placed Near East in the hands of a temporary management team who "kind of messed it up," Ugur told the Daily last February.

"[They] said the students were happy. I came back and realized that wasn't true."

After her return, she tried to save the restaurant's reputation by changing its name and -- more importantly -- changing the kitchen staff and management.

"I definitely noticed an improvement," sophomore Mark Robinton said of the revamp a year ago.

Unfortunately, according to Klos, this improvement meant that Ugur was often working too many hours and dealing with problems herself, and the restaurant was unable to bounce back.

Helen's opened yesterday in Pizzeria Roma's location on Boston Avenue. According to Qyrasi, Helen's will feature roast beef sandwiches, pizza, and Greek fare.

"We have very special dinners, like steak tip dinners," Qyrasi said.

Pizzeria Roma focused on Italian and Turkish foods.

While this leaves a temporary gap in the cuisine offerings at Tufts, Klos said that there is a chance that Pasta Pisa/Cafe de Crepe will add more diverse cuisine. The restaurant is planning to add Halal meats.

Qyrasi and his brother, Klod, have co-owned several restaurants north of Boston. Additionally, there are another "six or seven" restaurants in the Qyrasi family.