mémoire in Ridgewood has announced they have closed. The restaurant opened back in 2013.
Below is the full statement from owner/chef Tom Finnelli:
“This was probably one of the toughest decisions that I’ve ever had to make. I love the restaurant business and opening mémoire was the realization of a childhood dream. It pains me to close it. But it comes down to risk versus reward. There is the obvious financial and emotional burden that comes with owning and operating a small business; but more importantly, there is a quality of life burden. I have a wife and two young children whom I love very dearly. As Executive Chef and Owner, it wasn’t uncommon to work 75 to 90 hours a week. In fact, it was often the norm. I have no problem working hard, but there has to be a balance. And I think working as an Executive Chef for a place that I don’t own will likely create the balance that I’m looking for.
We have so many wonderful guests that will be missed. They were not only huge supporters of our restaurant, but were like family to us. Thank you for your loyalty. It was a pleasure to serve you.
Maybe one of the hardest parts of closing the restaurant was saying goodbye to my team. Everyone on our team worked very hard. They were loyal and helped to make the restaurant the best that it could be. Especially Frank, our Maître d’, whom many of guests assumed was my partner because of his passion and love for hospitality. He treated the restaurant as his own and always went above and beyond to make our guests feel welcome.”
see boozyburbs for more details https://www.boozyburbs.com/2016/01/06/memoire-in-ridgewood-has-closed/
Food was always good you will be missed.
Natalie’s on Broad also just closed, too. It’s a tough business to remain profitable.
Is Roots closing?
Roots and Fish should go.
memoire would still be open if we had a 5-story garage.
1:57 – the owner cleary states that he’s closing to spend more time with his family, not due to the lack of business.
Maybe they would be millonaires if we had a 10 story garage with free balloons for the kids from all over NJ
It’s money. It’s always the money. Yes, I’m sure the long hours were an issue, but the long hours issue is tolerable if you are making great profits but horrible if you are losing your shirt. Myron’s wife also said they closed-up Harding’s over a … I don’t actually recall what she said, but she did say it wasn’t the lawsuit. It was the lawsuit. It killed them.
80% of all restaurants close in the first 5 years….