6 Adored Local Restaurants That Have Just Closed Their Doors
The pandemic has caused many independently-owned restaurants to go under. After months of having to close their doors, the ground some of these establishments need to make up is too great to stay in business.
Below, you'll see five restaurants that have closed their doors for the last time in September, as well as one small chain that has shuttered its dining rooms until Spring 2021. Here's a little tribute to the small chains that fought as hard as they could to stay in operation. (Related: 9 Restaurant Chains That Closed Hundreds of Locations This Summer)
Lawry's The Prime Rib: Chicago, Illinois
The lauded Chicago steakhouse that's been around since 1974 will be closing its dining room at the end of December. The establishment made the announcement over Facebook on Sept. 22, which reads, "After 46 years in the city of Chicago, we are saddened to announce that we will be closing our Chicago location."
The post also says, "In a year of incredible turmoil, this is not a decision we take lightly however, with our industry in flux, we feel we have to pause in hopes that someday we can have a future in the Chicago area."
Martha Lou's Kitchen: Charleston, South Carolina
After 37 years, Martha Lou's Kitchen officially closed in September after the 90-year-old owner, Martha Lou Gadsden sold the building. The restaurant was known for its soul food, including fried chicken, cornbread, and lima beans.
Southport Lanes: Chicago, Illinois
Southport Lanes is a historic bar and bowling alley in Chicago that's been around for almost a century. On Sept. 27, the establishment shuttered its doors permanently after months of being closed. In July, the owner Steve Soble tried reopening the bar with a limited food menu, but without being able to open the lanes, it ultimately wasn't enough to stay in business.
Ivar's Acres of Clams and Salmon House: Seattle, Washington
The two restaurants, Ivar's Acres of Clams and Ivar's Salmon House, both closed in September and will remain so until early next spring. However, the franchise's seafood bars will remain open.
"Without cruise passengers, conventions, tourists, banquets, Sounders, Seahawks, and Mariner fans, and workers in the downtown offices, there are few people eating in our full service restaurants," said owner Bob Donegan to Eater Seattle. "We fear when the weather changes and the rains return, we lose outside dining and we won't have any customers."
Reno's Family Restaurant: Caribou, Maine
On Sept. 14, Reno's Family Restaurant in Maine announced after 55 years of service it would close at the end of the month.
"It has been an amazing 55 years in the dough with over 2 million pizzas made," the restaurant wrote in a Facebook post. "Please continue to support your local small businesses."
Bill Spoon's BBQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
The longstanding BBQ restaurant recently closed after 57 years. The owner, Bill Spoon, died in 2007, about a year before he sold the eatery to his grandson.
"Thank you, for an incredible 57 years. These past 3 days were nothing short of amazing," the restaurant penned in a Facebook post. "They were filled with memories, laughs, old faces, smiles, and eyes full of tears. I couldn't have asked to close down one last day with a better staff."
For more, check out This Adored Cheeseburger Chain Just Closed Its Last Location.
