CA Restaurants That Closed Permanently In 2021
CALIFORNIA — A spate of restaurants shuttered in 2020 amid the pandemic as sweeping restrictions forced Californians to stay home and businesses to close their doors.
But 2021 became a year of healing. Fewer eateries were forced to close this year as Californians got vaccinated, coronavirus restrictions eased, and financial aid to local businesses was extended.
Still, many restaurants had no choice but to close their doors this year.
Following are some of the places that closed in the Golden State permanently.
1. Vienna Pastry, Santa Monica
A beloved bakery run by three sisters closed after more than 60 years of thriving in the Santa Monica community.
Vienna Pastry's iconic location at 1215 Wilshire Blvd. near 12th Street shut down in January.
Before the pandemic, special events, catering, weddings and birthday parties were a huge source of income for the bakery. With limited social gatherings happening at the beginning of the year, the owners were sadly forced to end their six decade run in Santa Monica.
2. Campo Di Bocce, Livermore
Livermore Italian staple Campo di Bocce announced that it would permanently shut down earlier this year. It was once a heavily trafficked eatery that melded Italian cuisine and the game of bocce ball.
"The continual shutdowns, lockdowns, changing of the rules, takeout food only, outdoor dining only, minimal indoor dining, then once again takeout only, finally took its toll, and the grips of the Covid-19 pandemic finally took hold and have forced us into this dire situation," management said via Facebook.
The establishment opened 15 years ago on East Vineyard Avenue with eight indoor and outdoor tables and world-class bocce courts and quickly became a lively destination for dining, drinks, birthday and retirement parties, corporate get-togethers, community gatherings and, of course, bocce tournaments.
3. Zelda's Corner, Venice
Family-owned delicatessen Zelda's Corner in Venice closed its doors over the summer, citing pandemic-related constraints.
Zelda's Corner was known for its breakfast, including adorable minidonuts and breakfast burritos, along with classic sandwich favorites. It used organic produce fresh from Santa Monica and Venice farmers markets.
The cafe and shop at 9 Westminster Ave. opened in 1999 and was purchased by Klevens in 2015, the Argonaut reported.
4. Gorditos, Dublin
Gorditos, a family-run Tex-Mex restaurant in Dublin, closed after less than two years in business. Although the eatery struggled to keep its doors open during the pandemic, the business ultimately shuttered because of a landlord dispute.
Gorditos also pointed to inflated prices, shipping delays and a dearth of workers as reasons that the Dublin store closed.
5. Rocky Point Restaurant, Carmel
A 75-year-old seafood staple in Carmel, Rocky Point Restaurant closed and sold its sprawling location for $8 million to a real estate development group, the Monterey Herald reported.
6. Stone Brewing, Napa
A bustling San Diego-based crafter brewer closed its Napa taproom after three years for reportedly failing to make rent payments during the pandemic, Stone Brewing told the San Francisco Chronicle.
At least 40 employees lost a job as a result of the closure.
7. Milo SRO, Santa Monica
A mass exodus of laborers plagued the Golden State over the summer, forcing the Santa Monica pizza parlor to close in September.
Milo SRO, the baby sister pizza parlor sister to local favorite Milo & Olive, closed its doors on Oct. 10, the company said.
8. Mama's Comfort Food & Drinks, Newport Beach
Mama's Comfort Food & Drinks closed earlier this year, less than two years after it opened in Mariner's Mile in Newport Beach, the Orange County Register reported.
Its other eateries are located in Los Alamitos, Huntington Beach and Ladera Ranch.
This article originally appeared on the Los Angeles Patch
