A local favorite Mediterranean restaurant, Vega Shawarma, is closing its doors in Madison. The owners cited rising food, labor, and rent costs in their decision to close after two years in business.
Vega Shawarma Shutters After Brief Run
Operated by a husband-and-wife duo, Hrant Arakelian and Elizabeth “Liz” Endicott, Vega Shawarma was founded in 2024. It aims to provide high-quality, homemade Middle Eastern flavors with warm hospitality.
The restaurant is a sister concept of East Nashville’s popular restaurant, Lyra. The menu offers chicken and beef shawarma, along with homemade falafel and other vegetarian options.
The restaurant owners shared the closure news on social media. They stated that Vega Shawarma, located at 1500 Gallatin Pike S Ste 103, Madison, will permanently shut down on November 19.
The owners thanked the community, neighborhood, and staff for the support in the last two years. They added, “For the last two years we were thrilled to be able to serve Nashville the freshest food we could.”
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Reason Behind Closure
In the post, the owners of the restaurant highlighted that due to continued rising costs, they are unable to sustain the business. “As with many small businesses in this day and age, we just could not keep up with rising costs,” stated the owners.
The owners now plan to focus on growing their flagship restaurant, Lyra. Located in East Nashville, Lyra offers traditional and classic Middle Eastern cuisine with a modern flair.
Following the closure announcement, several customers of the restaurant expressed disappointment on social media. A customer wrote, “My heart is aching! We have eaten here at least once (or twice) a week since y’all opened. It’s become a family tradition. Thank you for serving the most wonderful food and giving us a warm welcome every time we visit!”
The owners encouraged the community to visit and said, “Come on in and get your last shawarma fix and love cake fix.”
