The Scoop: Salt announces closure
Salt has closed. After a little more than two years in business, Salt, located at 4356 Lindell Blvd., in the Central West End, has shut its doors for good. Salt’s ownership group, American Larder, announced on Friday that it was closing the restaurant; the final day of business was Saturday, June 29. In a press release, the company cited “the economic downturn, litigation with its landlord and pending litigation with a former partner, and tax liability” as reasons for the decision.
During its two-year run, Salt received national and local accolades. The farm-to-table restaurant was nominated in 2012 for a James Beard Foundation award in the Best New Restaurant category. In its first year in operation, Salt was voted Best New Restaurant in the Sauce Readers' Choice poll. Also, Salt’s Bradley Hoffmann was named among the Sauce class of 2013 Ones to Watch.
Despite these successes, during the last 14 months, Salt has been embroiled in litigation and filed for bankruptcy while also experiencing changes in the kitchen that included the departure of its initial executive chef and co-owner Wes Johnson and later, chef Josh Roland.
In an email, co-owner Matt Obermark explained that he attempted to keep the restaurant afloat despite such turmoil. “I tried to the end of near exhaustion but in the end, sometimes holes are too deep to get out of,” he wrote. Obermark, a seasoned bartender, is undecided about his future. “I'm unsure about my plans, but they are for sure including taking some time off and some travel.” Hoffmann, Salt's executive chef, also hasn't finalized his future plans but is considering several options.
