Simon’s Restaurant has closed its doors for good in Midtown.
Owner Simon Guobadia announced the closure via the restaurant's Facebook page:
To our Simon's Family & Friends,
We are truly saddened to announce that we are closing our doors at Simon's Restaurant, effective Tuesday, May 19th, 2020. We do not foresee a successful return to business in the COVID-19 environment and the lasting impact on our operations. We thank the Atlanta community for welcoming us with open arms and for the endless support over the last few years. We are thankful for the amazing friends and memories we have made along this journey. Stay safe and healthy Atlanta!
Simon's opened in late 2017 at 793 Juniper St. in a space previously occupied by Spice restaurant and rapper Ludacris' eatery Straits, which then became Time Restaurant & Lounge.
The restaurant was a self-described homage to "the New York dining experience, with a stroll to your neighborhood eatery where everybody knows your name."
Credit: Yvonne Zusel
Credit: Yvonne Zusel
The menu offered Southern takes on American dishes.
The 4,500 square-foot space boasted a 69-seat main dining room in addition to a bar and lounge on the first floor, with an additional 50-seat dining room and a 14-seat private dining room on the second floor.
Guobadia, the restaurant’s namesake, operated Time and the popular Buckhead Bottle Bar, which closed in 2014, and helped open American Cut in Shops Buckhead Atlanta in 2016.
“We would not have enjoyed years of success without the loyal patrons and community, many of whom are now friends,” said Guobadia in an email to the AJC. “I had great hope when I opened Simon’s Restaurant 3 years ago, so much so I named the restaurant after myself as a sign of pride and a sense of purpose. Unfortunately, COVID-19 cut short this dream of providing great food, employing great people and contributing to the Atlanta business community at large. I look forward to starting another concept and serving Atlanta again in the very near future.”
Simon's is the latest in a growing list of food and beverage establishments to close their doors amid the coronavirus pandemic. Other recent closures include Public School 404 in West Midtown, the Roswell location of C&S Seafood and Oyster Bar, and Ri Ra Irish pub in Midtown.
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