If you love something, let it go—but when it's your favorite gelato shop, organic farm or BBQ spot, cry into your tacos for an unforeseeable period of time. That's how the saying goes, right?
Guys. This week has been rough for beloved Austin restaurants, as campus spot Ruby's BBQ, gelato shop Venezia Italian Gelato and urban garden Springdale Farm announced that they are all closing in the near future (or have already locked their doors). Sausage purveyor Frank is in hot water, too.
Ruby's BBQ, which has been serving hungry students since 1988, will be shuttering in a couple of weeks (the Chronicle reports that Feb 20 will be the BBQ spot's last day). Owner Pat Mares said in a statement that "The Austin scene and market has changed significantly. With the saturation of the restaurant market, high property taxes, increasing meat/food prices, and shortage of labor, it’s become difficult to do business as a small operator."
Urban sanctuary Springdale Farm also announced it would be closing, though you'll have until June to frequent the East Side garden. After operating for the past nine years, owners Glenn and Paula Foore have decided to "retire Springdale Farm and move on to the next phase of our lives with a focus on health and family." There's no word yet on what will happen to Eden East, the on-site restaurant.
Venezia Italian Gelato, the popular gelato shop on South Lamar, just straight up closed (not even a note!). And the Austin Chronicle reports that downtown's go-to sausage emporium, Frank, is temporarily closed due to unpaid taxes from their San Antonio location. They'll need about a week to get everything sorted out, but we might as well be in purgatory without their hot dogs.
Sure, restaurants close all the time, and there's plenty opening in the near future (like H-Mart and Market Eatery, which should be open for business in a couple of weeks). But we need some time to mourn. Good thing this city has plenty of watering holes to drown our sorrows.