Wrapsody Grill and Market set to move to Arlington Business District

By invitation from Vassar, Wrapsody Grill and Market is opening a new location at the Corner of Fulton and Raymond Avenue this August. Wrapsody Grill and Market, a store which mainly features sandwiches, wraps and cheese steaks, originally served the State University of New York at New Paltz community. The store will replace Del Forno's Deli, which moved out in August of 2008. 

According to the restaurant owner, Paul Casado, Wrapsody will not only offer specialty wraps, sandwiches, soups, salads, cheese steaks, burritos and much more for under $8, but it will also be designed to cater to Vassar students' needs by providing fresh grocery items.

"Since we will have a bigger space here in Arlington, we are adding a market/grocery to our business model," said Casado, "We realize that Vassar students need a market where they can grab fresh vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, carrots and potatoes. Students will be able to purchase deli meats and cheeses from our deli section and milk, eggs and other dairy items will also be readily available."

The location where Wrapsody is moving in is part of the building rented under a master lease by College Properties LLC, a subsidiary under Vassar College. Since Del Forno's moved out, College Properties has been actively seeking a new tenant.

Vice President for Finance and Administration Elizabeth Eismeier has worked closely with students in an initiative to find the right tenant based on the community's needs. "According to a survey conducted in 2007, the need for grocery shopping close to campus is among the top needs of Vassar students. So we have strongly considered this need in searching for a new merchant," said Eismeier.

"We have always felt the need for a grocery store within comfortable walking distance of the dorms," said Giuliano Sider '10, "but the dining hall, bookstore and other campus facilities have failed to provide this need. I think the new store will make life easier for hundreds of juniors and seniors to get stuff for our houses."

In terms of the grocery items the store will stock, Casado would like to be responsive to students' advice and feedback. "I welcome all ideas from all parts of the community. My success is dependant on my ability to respond to my customers' requests. I look forward to serving Arlington & the surrounding areas," said Casado.

In addition to Twisted Soul Food Concepts, Wrapsody Grill and Market will be yet another restaurant moving to the Arlington Business District. The College hopes that these incoming merchants and restaurants will help bring energy to the local area.

"With Wrapsody Grill and Market comes a passionate and dedicated entrepreneur," said Andrew Bennett '09, former member of the Campus Master Planning Committee. "I think Paul Casado will bring a new energy to Arlington that will help reinvigorate the business district."

Bennett explained that Wrapsody's success in the SUNY-New Paltz community would help prepare the restaurant to move to Arlington. "Wrapsody Grill's experience in serving the SUNY-New Paltz community will help them serve the Vassar community," said Bennett. "However they don't exclusively serve the SUNY community there and they won't limit themselves to the Vassar community here. It is exactly the kind of business we need in Arlington, where the members of the wider community and the Vassar community can come together."