On June 20, after operating for barely 15 months, Haystack Pizza closed its doors.

The chef and owner was Luis Velieu, who opened the pizzeria with fanfare in March 2015 but was unable to make a living at it, according to his landlord, David Torrey.

“He was working 100 hours a week and barely taking home a paycheck,” said Torrey. “Opening for breakfast was no help at all. Hardly anybody showed up.”

Torrey praised Velieu for his generosity to local churches. “Whenever First Congregational or Immaculate Conception sent out a call, he always brought a plate of food.”

Velieu plans to return to the Oakville section of Watertown, where he recently bought a business, Oakville Pizza.