Iconic restaurant announces shocking closure
The popular eatery fell on unexpectedly hard times.
It's probably fair to say that compared to retail, the only industry that's had a harder time surviving the past few years is the restaurant industry.
Covid — and the ensuing disruption to our daily norms that it caused — upended many of our routine and daily habits.
Related: Another discount retailer closing over 1,000 stores
At least for a short spell, many of us found ourselves staying at home, more or less twiddling our thumbs and wondering what to do.
Some of us picked up hobbies. Some of us got more interested in health and wellness. Some of us job-hopped or exited the workforce altogether.
But very few of us went out to dinner.
For several long months, most restaurants across the country were shuttered as diners stayed at home. This overnight foot traffic drop to zero was the stuff of nightmares for restaurants, which are already notorious for being difficult businesses to operate.
Restaurants are difficult businesses
Even during the best of times, restaurants are hard to run.
They often require a lot of money up front to start. And keeping them afloat doesn't get any cheaper.
Most restaurants pay high rents so they're in close proximity to popular areas with high foot traffic. They're also in the business of serving perishable goods, so stocking foods that need to be kept fresh — or tossed — within a small window of time can be tricky.
More closings:
- Iconic retail chain closing nearly 500 stores
- Another discount retailer closing over 1,000 stores
- Another struggling mall retail chain closing more stores
Of course, there's always the additional costs of upkeep, like utilities, insurance, and labor. All of which are typically high for restaurants. And most restaurants experience high turnover because, among other things, working in a restaurant can be a thankless job.
It's no surprise that around 17% of restaurants fail within their first year, and only about 51% are around to see year five.
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Popular restaurant closing down
Such is the case for Blanca, a Brooklyn-based tasting-menu eatery known for its Chilean dishes.
Blanca opened in 2012 and even received a Michelin star. It's hailed as a small enclave for foodies in the trendy Bushwick region of Brooklyn, located just outside of New York City.
But Blanca's chef, Victoria Blamey, announced on Instagram that the restaurant was losing its lease and would shutter permanently on April 12, 2025.
"I have shocking and sad news to share," she told followers. "Blanca has lost its lease and we will have to vacate the building within weeks. Our last service will be Saturday, April 12. It’s been a year and five months in this space, running, working, creating…showing and sharing what I had to offer in this room, like no other."
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Blanca closed its doors during Covid, when most restaurants shut down. But it struggled to regain its footing long after, and only reopened in 2024.
When it reopened, it was listed by The New York Times as one of “The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City in 2024.”
