Dining options in Stowe village became slimmer last weekend, when two restaurants abruptly closed.
The Blue Moon Café served its last meal Saturday while Mi Casa Kitchen and Bar closed Sunday.
Jim Barton purchased the Blue Moon from Jack Pickett in 2001. The restaurant, located at 35 School St., had opened in 1993.
Barton declined a request for an interview, but emailed the following statement about the closing:
“In recent years, it’s become evident that dining preferences have changed and our level of business has dropped to the point of being no longer sustainable. To the end, I remain extremely proud of the food and quality of service that we provided.
“It’s been both fun and sad in the last couple of weeks as a lot of longtime customers have come in, wishing us well and enjoying a last fine meal.
“I want to especially thank the staff for their many years of hard work and great companionship. I’m especially grateful that each and every one of you stayed through the last difficult weeks, right to the end. I know you’ll have successful futures.”
The following was posted on Mi Casa Kitchen and Bar’s Facebook page Sunday:
“It was a fun run and Mi Casa is now closed for business. Thank you to everyone who supported our endeavor.”
The restaurant at 128 Main St. opened last May in the space formerly occupied by Frida’s Taqueria and Grill — coincidentally, also a restaurant that Pickett had opened.
Mi Casa served lunch and dinner, billing its menu as “a Vermont twist on fresh Mexican food.”
Owner Paul Biron ran the restaurant with his daughter Zoe, a culinary school graduate who worked there as a chef, and his wife Laura, a nutritionist.
“We all decided that there were other things we wanted to do,” Biron said. “We decided that maybe the restaurant is not in our best interest right now.”
The family decided last week to close the restaurant, Biron said.
Biron is considering three options: Converting the historic building, which he restored several years ago, into condominiums; selling the building; or leasing the restaurant space.
“We’re going to explore all of them,” Biron said.
Biron has already been approached by people interested in leasing the restaurant.
“It’s a great location, especially in the summertime,” Biron said. “It really rocks.”
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