Alongside a slew of openings, an assortment of Columbus restaurants shut their doors for good in 2015. In no particular order, here’s fourteen that we’ll continue to mourn:
1. Rigsbys Kitchen: Following a 29-year business run, the iconic Short North restaurant shut its doors in November.
2. Tom + Chee: The Cincinnati-based grilled cheese chain abruptly shuttered three Columbus locations in November, after just over a year.
3. World of Beer – Brewery District: The Brewery District bar closed in November after a four-year run, with franchise owners citing the inability to build a full kitchen as their main closing reason.
4. Clintonville Community Market: After 17 years in operation, the co-op closed in September due to increased competition and declining profits.
5. 1831 Tavern / Balls: The restaurant that replaced the historic Jury Room closed in July following a brief six-month run. Now known as Blind Lady Tavern.
6. Casa Sazon: The Downtown Latin joint closed their doors in July. Their sign indicated a move to a new location, but no updates have been announced.
7. Explorer’s Club: The global-fusian restaurant shut down their brick and mortar South Side location in June, shifting focus to their food truck operations. More good news: their kitchen has popped up at Zauber Brewing.
8. L’Antibes: After eight years of serving fine French food in the Short North, L’Antibes closed in June. Chef Matthew Litzinger has reopened the space as casual sit-down restaurant HomeFare.
9. Surly Girl Saloon: Preceding Liz Lessner’s departure from Columbus, Surly Girl Saloon shut its doors in April after ten years in the Short North.
10. Pure Imagination Chocolatier: Following 15 years in the North Market, the chocolatier shut down in February to focus on its brick and mortar Grandview location.
11. Garam Masala: The Indian restaurant abruptly closed its Bethel Sawmill Center location in February, conveniently right as a CU review was published.
12. Jobu Ramen: The Grandview ramen sit-down closed early in January due to financial troubles.
13. Shoku: The veteran Grandview sushi restaurant shuttered its doors abruptly in mid-December.
14. La Fogata: Short North Mexican grill La Fogata closed quietly on December 27, to make way for The Eagle. The owners have hinted at a relocation, but no plans have been announced.
CLICK HERE to view our list of over 40 restaurants that opened in 2015.
