A Blue Christmas: This holiday-themed cafe to close after 2 years of operation
It'll be a blue Christmas-in-July this year. After two years of operation, the Christmas-themed cafe Christmas Morning Cafe is closing in Clifton.
The restaurant at 2359 Frankfort Ave. announced the closure on Monday. Its last day of operation will be May 29.
"To all of our wonderful friends of Christmas Morning Cafe, after much deliberation and after two fantastic years full of fun with Santa and other great memories we have decided to close," owner Craig Bishop wrote on Facebook.
When Bishop opened the restaurant in August 2020, guests lined up outside in the sweltering August heat in Christmas pajamas to celebrate. Though the building is tiny — just 500 square feet — it's bursting with decorations and good cheer.
Everything at the cafe is themed to the winter holiday, down to the names of the menu items, like the popular "Rudolph's Fresh Berry Crepes" ($10.50), "Père Noël French Toast" ($11), "Grandma Klaus Biscuits & Gravy" ($9.25), and "Jingle All the Waffle Sticks" ($9).
Most dishes are generous portions, with sweet dishes topped with vanilla whipped cream, drizzles and cut fruit and savory dishes topped with Applewood smoked bacon, avocado or house-made sausage. No matter what you order, it's meant to be a treat. The "Père Noël French Toast," for example, is made with brioche bread, vanilla whipped cream, caramel espresso drizzle and fresh fruit.
But Bishop has had his share of struggles with the restaurant, too. Pandemic restrictions reduced seating capacity, staffing became difficult, and the menu had to be limited for efficiency. In February 2021, executive chef Wesley Powell left and was not replaced. Once, Bishop got a one-star review because a customer couldn't find parking on Frankfort Avenue.
Background: 'A Christmas spirit.' Every day is Christmas at this holiday-themed Louisville café
In a previous interview, Bishop said he took the criticism with a grain of salt and focused on doing the best he could.
Because it's Christmas, after all.
"There is no way to express the exciting times we've had with you all except WOW," he wrote in his farewell post. "And to say...merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night."
Christmas Morning Cafe is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating, curbside pickup and takeout.
Features reporter Dahlia Ghabour covers food, dining trends and restaurants in the Louisville area. Send tips on new places or story ideas to dghabour@courier-journal.com or follow on Twitter @dghabour.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Christmas Morning Cafe in Louisville to close at end of May
