By Lauren Young
Staff Writer
Barely one year after opening, the owner of Open Flame restaurant in Manlius has decided to sell his business.
Masum Towhid, who opened the eatery in November 2006, said the long hours have been negatively affecting his health, rendering him unable to perform his job.
“I’m just not feeling 100 percent,” said Towhid. “For the past few months I’ve been having some issues with my muscles from working so many hours. We just cannot operate on our own anymore.”
Towhid is the sole cook of the fusion-style restaurant. Though he would like additional help, his options are limited. “I just haven’t been able to hire another cook that cooks the way I do,” said Towhid.
Although he would like to receive familial support, the distance from his relatives renders him unable to do that, he said. “We’re not able to get family help because they live in California,” said Towhid. “My wife and I also have a 17-month old baby, so she isn’t able to help.”
Towhid hopes he can train the new owner in his style of cuisine, a blend of Indian, Mexican, Italian and Afghani dishes, in order to keep the culinary style prominent within the community.
“Ideally it would be nice to carry on with the menu, and not turn it over to something completely different,” he said. “I’m open to training the new owner, and I’m hoping they could continue the business because I would love to be a part of it.”
Towhid aims to close the business sometime in January, and has been reducing the businesses hours and days in the meantime. “Now we’re only open about three days a week,” he said. “The response from people has been positive though.”
Despite the business’ closure, Towhid’s family plans on staying in Manlius due to the supportive community and excellent school system. “We have a kindergartener, a second grader, and an eighth grader,” said Towhid. “So we’re not going anywhere.”
Towhid said that his first step is to find a replacement owner for the restaurant, then he plans on taking a few months off to recuperate and regain his health before starting his next endeavor. While he remains uncertain on what 2018 holds for him, he is currently contemplating returning to his roots in finance, as he was originally a real estate broker in San Francisco, Calif.
Open Flame is located on 301 Fayette St. in Manlius. The establishment is currently being sold for $125,000 and features brand new equipment. For more information, contact the restaurant at openflameny.com or at 315-692-4661.
