Through an e-mail sent to customers yesterday, Chew Chew Cafe owner Scott Zimmer announced that the restaurant would be closing this weekend. Chew Chew Cafe staff will serve their last dinners on Saturday night, but the general public is being invited to the restaurant at 1 Riverside Road for a final customer appreciation event on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beer and a cash bar.
“The more the merrier,” said Zimmer.
Zimmer said he’s received “countless letters of support” from customers after the announcement.
“It’s a great feeling, but it’s bittersweet. I’m proud of the business and I hope to duplicate that soon.”
Asked to elaborate, Zimmer declined to discuss the future plans for his business, saying that he would make an announcement soon.
“It’s time for us to start working on new things,” Zimmer said.
The closure of the restaurant was not entirely surprising, since the future of every business in the historic Arcade Building has been a subject of speculation since its owners announced plans for renovation in 2005. Since that time nearly every business has vacated the building. When Chew Chew Cafe closes its doors for good on Sunday night, the only tenant remaining will be Grumpy’s Cafe.
Don Price, president of the Wexford Development Group, said that his firm was interested in keeping the Chew Chew Cafe as a tenant and had sent a proposal to Zimmer. However, Price said, Zimmer did not respond, leading Wexford to issue a notice last month for the restaurant to vacate the building.
“Our proposal’s still out there,” Price said.
In the meantime, renovation of the Arcade Building will begin soon, according to Price, beginning with window replacement and then with the office spaces on the second and third floors of the building. The firm also plans to renovate the first-floor lobby, including the installation of new restrooms.
For a full report, see next week’s Landmark.