2 downtown Quincy restaurants close. What is happening?

QUINCY − Known for its heaping plates of comfort food and signature macaroni and cheese, The Fat Cat restaurant will close Wednesday, Jan. 10, after 16 years in downtown Quincy.

"We have tried our best to manage the waters, but it's become too much," the restaurant's Facebook account posted Monday. "Even with the kindness and generosity of FoxRock Properties, the ever-rising cost of goods and doing business has become a burden that is unbearable."

FoxRock Properties is the landlord at 1495 Hancock St., where The Fat Cat moved in 2019 from its original location at 24 Chestnut St., a short walk away. The Chestnut Street building, owned by Quincy Mutual Fire, was slated for a project including 220 apartments and 15,000 square feet of commercial space called East of Chestnut.

In the farewell post, The Fat Cat said its plan had been to return to Chestnut Street.

"Unfortunately for all of us, COVID hit and that project was stalled," the post reads.

In a statement, FoxRock said, "FoxRock worked closely with the Fat Cat team to overcome challenges that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic so that they could continue to operate in Quincy Center during those challenging times. We valued our experience with the Fat Cat team, look forward to maintaining a relationship as part of the continued improvements to Quincy Center, and are excited to see what's next for them."

The Hancock Street location was three times as large as 24 Chestnut St., which was a charming hole in the wall where long lines would form on most nights and weekends. The new site's dining room alone was twice the size of the original space, and its kitchen was 18 times bigger.

"The Fat Cat is getting fatter," owner Neil Kiley said at the time of the relocation.

Chamber president says COVID recession still weighs on restaurants

"I feel awful for Neil and his team and the employees that are going to lose their jobs," said Quincy Chamber of Commerce President Tim Cahill. "I know how tough it is."

Cahill said most restaurants are still feeling the impact of the pandemic-induced recession of 2020.

"It was devastating," he said. "The fact that there were very few closures coming out of COVID was a miracle."

Despite the recovery, Cahill said a number of economic factors still weigh heavily on the hospitality and restaurant sectors.

"The cost of a meal out is a lot more expensive than it was a year ago, two years ago," he said, citing increases in the cost of food, transportation, alcohol and wages.

Other challenges are cyclical. The stretch from January through March can be particularly hard on struggling restaurants, Cahill said.

People resolve to eat and drink less after overindulging between Thanksgiving and New Year's, he said. People also have less money to spend, and the harsh weather can be discouraging.

"If you don't come out of the holidays killing it, then you're going to really, really hurt," Cahill said.

He said the new location at 1495 Hancock St. may have simply been too large and expensive.

"You're better off turning away people because you don't have room than having too much room," he said. "You're paying for that 365 days a year. Whether you're open or closed, you're paying for that rental cost."

What's going on with The Townshend in Quincy Center?

Another restaurant in Quincy Center, The Townshend at 1250 Hancock St., is temporarily closed. Cahill said the restaurant, owned by Devin Adams, is going to revamp and reopen in a couple of months. Adams also owns Pearl and Lime at 1440 Hancock St.

Cahill said rising prices are part of the reason for the temporary closure. He said the restaurant is going to change its concept and try to be more affordable.

Though Cahill said the economic climate has been challenging, especially in the restaurant sector, he doesn't expect a "contagion" scenario in which a number of restaurants will close.

"That would make me more nervous, if (The Townshend) was closing permanently on one end of the square, and Neil was closing down at the other end of the square," he said. "I don't think it speaks to a bunch of closures in Quincy, though."

Kiley, who also owned a restaurant called Passport in Weymouth Landing for a period of time, did not respond to a request for comment.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Fat Cat in Quincy to close. Townshend has closed and will revamp