Main Street Pizzeria Suddenly Closes its Doors

In addition to the obvious -- signage taken down, empty walls and the phone line no longer in service -- it's the alluring aroma that used to come from that's really missing.

The downtown Nazareth business closed its doors -- after about three years in business -- in February without notice.

The phone number listed for owner Joe Marvelli was also not in service.

The pizzeria received positive reviews on Nazareth Patch and won "Best Wings" during the , which was sponsored by the , in December 2010.

Tina Smith, president of the chamber, was not immediately available for comment.

Goodfellas was the first "" on Nazareth Patch. Marvelli spoke highly of his new-found hometown.

He, with his wife and son, moved out of Brooklyn -- where he was born and raised -- seeking a small-town atmosphere. They found it in Nazareth. 

“I parked at the top of Main Street and walked all the way to the bottom,” Marvelli said. “I found two possible locations. When I saw this space, I couldn’t pass it up.”

Marvelli and his friends built everything in the restaurant, from the front door to the rear exit. After eight months of planning and hard labor, Goodfellas was open for business.

About three years later, the storefront would be left empty -- a shell of its former self. Only a few tables are left inside.

The closure may be a sign of harder times for the Goodfellas family. In October 2011, for allegedly punching Nazareth Det. Fred Lahovski in the face and attempting "to gouge his eyes out."

The elder Marvelli was arraigned before and charged with one felony count of aggravated assault, two counts of making terroristic threats, two counts of criminal mischief, and one charge each of simple assault, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and public drunkenness.

All of the charges were waived to Northampton County Court. Marvelli's formal arraignment was scheduled for Feb. 9 and his trial is scheduled for July 9.

Marvelli has applied for the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for first-time offenders, according to his attorney, Steven R. Mills.