#restaurant-closures

#restaurant-closures

A staff member from the Norwood Friendly's confirmed that the Pembroke branch at 146 Church Street has permanently closed. The location is no longer listed on the company's website.

Every year, inspectors arrive unannounced at more than 25,000 restaurants to examine health and safety standards. Most eateries pass inspections, but some fall short of the city's standards, accruing violation points for everything from broken light bulbs to "public health hazards," like vermin and failure to follow food safety protocols. Restaurants hit with non-food-safety violations might get a fine or a lower letter grade, with zero to 13 points warranting an 'A' and violations totaling 28 points or more earning a 'C' (this system is criticized for its efficacy by some gourmands).

For more than half a century, Miamians have been savoring the Chinese cuisine at Christine Lee's. According to Michael Mayo's post on the Facebook Group, Let's Eat, South Florida, "A recorded message on the restaurant's telephone number says that second-generation owner Mary Lee has decided to retire and the restaurant is closed effective immediately." A call to the restaurant confirms the news.

Most of us can agree that while we love dogs, our neighborhood lacks the necessary resources to ensure they peacefully coexist with humans. North Brooklyn Dogs launched a census to identify areas of concern and help advocate for safer, cleaner dog parks. In honor of her new book, we shared an excerpt from Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell's The Joy of Snacking (if you've ever experienced choice paralysis at one of our many great bakeries, it should resonate with you).

On the franchisee side, the blame has been placed squarely on the company having "extreme and unreasonable demands" for its franchisees. They complain of cost overruns when opening a new location, which means they end up spending far more than planned or promised. Potentially worse, the company-approved supplier that they need to use for food and supplies overcharges, according to franchisees.

Founded in 1978 in the town of Hermiston, Oregon, Shari's is a diner-style restaurant that once boasted of being the largest casual dining chain in the Northwest. Also called Shari's Cafe & Pies, it was known for 24-hour service, and its wide variety of different pie recipes. At its peak, Shari's had 95 locations across six states: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Wyoming, and Nebraska.

Tribeca Park Cafe, the corner deli at Walker and West Broadway, closed on Friday, August 29, after 45 years. The closure follows the $18 million sale of the property in January. The one-story building is slated for demolition to make way for a 10-story condo project from Sumaida + Khurana, the development firm behind 157 Hudson, the landmark brick building on Collister, and a new building at 152 Elizabeth designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, according to Tribeca Citizen.

When London's Unity Diner wrapped up 2024 with the announcement that it would soon be shutting its doors for good, it expected some sadness from its customers. After all, the not-for-profit restaurant had been an innovator in the city's vegan scene, serving up 3D-printed vegan steak (made of plant protein with the fibrous feel of the real thing) and disarmingly realistic tofish (tofu fish) alongside the classic burgers and chips.

The late celebrity chef, author, and renowned adventure travel TV host Anthony Bourdain opinionatedly sampled a variety of regional cuisine from around the world on his show, "No Reservations." But he also tried the best food in underestimated locations, like Ohio. From quintessentially American food to shops owned by the Polish, German, and Japanese immigrants that shaped the Buckeye state's food scene, Bourdain visited eight spots across Cleveland and Columbus on the show back in 2005 and 2009, respectively.

And this is not the first bankruptcy go-around for Bravo Brio. The restaurant group behind Bravo! Italian Kitchen and Brio Italian Grille, known for their authentic yet accessible Italian classics like creamy seafood risotto and hearty pasta dishes, has changed hands multiple times, most recently in 2020, when the restaurant group last filed for bankruptcy and was bought by Earl Enterprises.

Prescott Meats quietly shuttered just months after opening in West Oakland's Prescott Market, known for its loaded Reuben sandwiches, pasture-raised meats and made-to-order foods.

Julianna's Coffee & Crepes, a hidden gem in Inman Park, has closed after nearly 12 years, citing nonpayment of rent. Google now lists it as permanently closed.

A landlord in North Finchley faced a fine of £75,000 for illegally renting out two flats for short-term bookings, highlighting the issue of compliance in the rental market.

Chick 'n' Sours' co-founder, David Wolanksi, expressed the struggle of independent operators, stating, 'It feels like the whole system is stacked against independent operators as we are being squeezed from every angle - food inflation, rising wages, relentless rent increases, service charges, and soaring utilities without the deep pockets to ride it out. It's an exhausting, never-ending battle to keep the lights on.'

Bang Bang Noodles, a pioneer of hand-pulled noodles with locations in Downtown LA and Culver, is set to close its Culver location while maintaining operations in Downtown.

Serving this community has been an incredible honor. We've cherished every moment - from cheering on our local sports teams together to celebrating special milestones.