Capital Region Shuttered Restaurant Getting New Life

A well-known shuttered restaurant in the Capital Region is getting a fresh start with a new restaurant concept.

The former Ninety-Nine Restaurant building in Clifton Park was used for a time to direct traffic through the newly built Chick-fil-A and will become a restaurant again. It won't be a national chain restaurant but it will be run by a local restaurateur with a much different concept.

The Ninety Nine Restaurant which has been empty since the summer of 2023, is set to be transformed by Marrello Restaurant and Catering, a local, family-owned business. This sale, closing at $4.05 million, represents Marrello's return to Clifton Park, where they previously operated Bellini’s Italian Eatery until 2021.

This new venture will be a modern version of Marrello’s popular Jacob & Anthony’s brand, bringing an updated menu with steak, seafood, and sandwiches in a refreshed, stylish setting.

Marrello plans to invest over $1 million in renovations, adding 1,000 square feet to create a banquet space and including their fast-casual spot, Bellini’s Counter. With these upgrades, Marrello hopes to offer Clifton Park a unique dining experience that stands out from the mix of chain and local eateries.

The journey to purchase the property wasn’t immediate. Faraz Khan, who owns the mall across the street, originally had plans to lease it to a national chain. But after conversations with Joe Marrello, Khan decided this local business was a perfect fit for the space.

Marrello and Khan shared a vision for enhancing the area’s restaurant scene, adding something distinct for local diners. Soon, this former chain restaurant spot will welcome a new chapter as Jacob & Anthony’s Grille in Clifton Park.