Italian Village restaurant Factory on 4th — formerly known as Cray — has closed its doors to customers for the time being. One of our readers emailed this morning stating that a visit this past Saturday afternoon revealed locked doors and a disconnected phone number. Three more customers have posted comments on the restaurant’s Facebook page inquiring about the closure.
Factory on 4th owner Crystal Park stated today via email that the business is still operating, but is in the process of being sold to a new owner. That doesn’t mean that customers should necessarily expect normal operating hours to continue.
“It is permanently closed under this owner, but we have a deal in place to sell,” explained Randy Sokol of Sokol & Associates, who is the representative selling the business.
On July 20th, another of our readers emailed a photo of an eviction notice posted on the front door of the business, stating that the restaurant owes the property owner over $11,000 in past due rent and fees and must vacate the premises no later than July 22nd.
Park informed Columbus Underground on July 20th that the rent issues were being worked out, the notice was removed, and the restaurant resumed operations for several more weeks.
Located inside the Wonder Bread building at 697 North Fourth Street, the restaurant first opened as Cray Eatery & Drinkery in late 2014. The business was first listed for sale in February of 2016, and then underwent a televised Restaurant Impossible Ambush in March, which converted the space into Factory on 4th.
Update: A new restaurant and bar called City Tavern opened in the former Cray / Factory on 4th space in 2017. CLICK HERE for a review of the newer restaurant with more information.