CINCINNATI — The outgoing year has been a rough one for many people and businesses, but perhaps none more so than those in the restaurant industry.
In a newsletter emailed to its members on Dec. 10, the Ohio Restaurant Association reported that 79 percent of restaurants in the state had seen a 20 to 70 percent decline in sales since the coronavirus pandemic began in March. A November report by the National Restaurant Association also stated that more than 50,000 restaurants across the country had closed due to the pandemic.
Here is a survey of nine eateries that have closed in Greater Cincinnati since the pandemic began.
Parkers Blue Ash Tavern: The closure of Parkers Blue Ash Tavern was felt deeply by many in the community.
Parkers permanently closed in April, citing the uncertainty of the restaurant industry amid the coronavirus pandemic. The restaurant served seafood, steak and prime ribs in the region for nearly 40 years.
Parkers Blue Ash Tavern says has closed amid uncertainty of #COVID19 pandemic - and will refund all gift cards.
There was so closure confusion today - Parkers originally posted it was closing permanently, then changed to ending takeout - and now again says closed. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/xbLdEyfEor
— Evan Millward (@EvanMillward) April 27, 2020
A Tavola Bar + Trattoria: While not in business as long as Parkers Blue Ash Tavern, for nine years, A Tavola Bar + Trattoria was at the heart of Over-the-Rhine's renaissance.
A Tavola's owners said they were temporarily closing the pizzeria in June, and that closure became permanent in October. A Tavola's Madeira location is still open.
Lucky Duck Pub - Taylor Mill: Another neighborhood staple, this time in Northern Kentucky, also was forced to downsize because of the pandemic.
Lucky Duck Pub officially closed its Taylor Mill location in early October. The sports bar with pub fare is still operating its original location in Burlington.
Django Western Taco (Northside): Django Western Taco permanently closed its original Northside location on Oct. 30.
The owners cited a decline in sales and concerns about the further impact the coronavirus pandemic would have on the Northside location.
Django's Court Street, Downtown and Covington Yard locations remain open.
The Fiery Hen: When the Fiery Hen opened in 2018, its owners promised to fill a missing niche on Court Street. That niche being a sports-like bar that served chicken wings and a laid-back atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the downturn in foot traffic on Court Street and limited seating due to the coronavirus pandemic forced Fiery Hen to close in August.
Muse: The eatery with a menu focused on farm-fresh and healthy food options in Mount Lookout closed on June 27.
The owner cited multiple issues, including an inability to provide enough seating under Ohio's pandemic orders at the time to remain financially viable.
Taco Bell Cantina: The region’s only Taco Bell to serve alcohol closed on Nov. 18. The Taco Bell Cantina was just days away from celebrating three years in business at 580 Walnut St, Downtown. The cantina drew long lines with its sale of frozen alcoholic beverages, beer and assorted fast-food tacos, nachos and burritos. Though not named as a direct attribution to its closing, Taco Bell Cantina closed nine months into the coronavirus pandemic.
Lucy Blue: The late-night staple located on Main Street in Over-the-Rhine permanently closed its doors on June 29.
Lucy Blue served pizza by the slice, along with a limited selection of beer. Not all is lost, though . . . On Dec. 16, Lucy Blue owners said they are looking for a new location to reopen in Greater Cincinnati.
Jean-Robert's Table: And, finally, we hope that many restaurants that have closed, such as this next eatery, are able to plan a reopening.
In October, Jean-Robert de Cavel said he was temporarily closing Jean-Robert's Table, Downtown.
Unlike restaurants that have closed due to Covid-19, de Cavel said he closed Table because the building's owners sold the location on Vine Street for redevelopment.
De Cavel said he hopes to reopen Table either within that development or a new location by the end of 2021.
RELATED: Jean-Robert's Table closing to make room for new location
