I’m not going to candy-coat this — 2024 has been a tough year for local restaurants. The list of closures is longer than the one of inspiring newcomers, restaurateurs are getting squeezed by the soaring cost of goods and a lack of trained staff, and diners are outraged by high prices, opting to eat out less as a result.
Adding insult to injury, spring and summer foot traffic was lackluster in 2024, according to many local restaurateurs I spoke to. This was the worst summer they’ve experienced in recent memory, they said, including during the pandemic. That means less padding for the quiet winter months and, as we’ve seen, restaurant closures increasing in November and December.
Meanwhile, San Francisco — a feeder destination for Sonoma and Napa tourism — has continued to be an unappealing destination due to its problems with homelessness and crime, according to the Sonoma County Tourism Board.
Anecdotally, I’ve seen more and more chefs giving up the business altogether for more stable corporate careers, which is heartbreaking but understandable.
So, with a tear in my eye and a hole in my heart, here are the most significant restaurant closures in 2024.
Chalkboard (March): After several chef shuffles, the longtime Healdsburg restaurant at Hotel Les Mars quietly closed then reopened in June as Arandas with former “MasterChef” contestant Adrien Nieto as its opening chef. Three months after his arrival, Nieto left the restaurant to his chef de cuisine to become the head of winery culinary operations at Foley Entertainment Group.
Second Story (June): One of my Best Openings of 2023, the upstairs dining room/music venue in the multiuse Little Saint was headed by former NOMA chef Stu Stalker, who created a transcendent 100% plant-based menu. I was beyond wowed, but the restaurant faltered. Little Saint’s more casual downstairs cafe and lounge remain open.
Monday Bakery (August): The Napa and Sonoma locations of this popular bakery closed in early August after a fire at the Napa production facility. Owner Sally Geftakys said she had planned to close both locations before the fire. Ohm Coffee Roasters has replaced the Sonoma location.
Vine Burgers (August): Chef James Byus III opened this restaurant in 2022 with a passion for burgers and wine. But despite excellent food and many positive reviews, its off-the-beaten-track location on Industrial Drive in north Santa Rosa was difficult to maintain.
Townes (September): The ambitious restaurant that took over the sprawling Third Street Aleworks location closed abruptly in September after only nine months. However, owner Lowell Sheldon reopened the downtown Santa Rosa restaurant as Downtown BBQ in November.
19Ten (October): Kin and KinSmoke owners JC Adams and Brad Barmore had high hopes for this Railroad Square restaurant (formerly Jack & Tony’s). Despite success at their other two restaurants, the eclectic menu and strong bar program faced stiff competition from nearby Jackson’s, Grossman’s, Lococo’s and ultimately the foot traffic never materialized. The restaurant closed only a year after opening.
Woodfour (October): The Barlow brewpub that launched Ramen Gaijin as a pop-up tried and failed to keep diners interested after on-again, off-again attempts at upscale food.
Folktable (November): Despite critical acclaim, the Cornerstone marketplace restaurant associated with Sonoma developer Ken Mattson’s Sonoma’s Best Hospitality Group faced the same unfortunate fate as several of Mattson’s other food and wine properties. Mattson is currently under federal investigation and facing several lawsuits for investment fraud.
Molti Amici (November): Another Best Opening of 2023, this Healdsburg restaurant was beyond impressive initially, but cracks began to show early on. Time limits on tables put diners off, opening chefs moved on and rumors of financial irregularities surfaced. Pop-ups became more frequent and, ultimately, the restaurant’s public face, Jonny Barr, left the area. A sad arrivederci.
The Pharmacy (November): This popular cafe on Sonoma Avenue featured crave-worthy but pricey sandwiches and salads made with locally sourced, organic ingredients. The lack of seating and bathrooms remained a challenge, but the restaurant had a devoted fan base for more than eight years.
Easy Rider (planned closure Dec. 31): The Southern-inspired restaurant in downtown Petaluma that opened in 2022 gave no reason for its impending closure, but an unnamed buyer plans to take over the space. Chef and co-owner Jared Rogers joined the team of the recently opened Cock Robin at The Barlow in July.
Cattlemen’s Petaluma (planned closure Dec. 31): After 54 years, the steakhouse will close due to the “sale of property and new business development plans.”
Franchettis’ (planned closure Dec. 21): After 10 years, chef John Franchetti and his wife, Gesine, will close their German and Italian restaurant in Santa Rosa. Franchettis’ opened as Rosso Eventi + Rosticerria in 2014, focusing on rotisserie chicken and hand-tossed pizzas. After Franchetti and Rosso co-owner Kevin Cronin split in 2015, the menu changed to include signature entrees like ‘Chetti’s spicy chicken, polenta and woodfired vegetables, as well as sandwiches and breakfast items.
You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.