Iconic downtown SLO restaurant closes after almost 3 decades
Another beloved San Luis Obispo institution shut its doors suddenly this week.
A sign posted on the window of Big Sky Cafe, located downtown at 1121 Broad St., announced the restaurant would officially close on Sunday, ending almost three decades serving market-fresh cuisine to customers.
“To our beloved customers, it is with a heavy heart that we have made the difficult decision to close our beloved restaurant, Big Sky Cafe, today, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023,” the sign read. “We want to thank all of our wonderful guests and employees for supporting us over these past years. We could not have done it without you.”
The restaurant was known for a menu of farm-to-table dishes that was ahead of its time when it opened in San Luis Obispo in 1994.
Founder Charles Myers at the time said the business specialized in “modern food” — meaning food made from “fresh ingredients, with little or no fat and prices that don’t wreck a budget.”
Its current owners, Greg and Mirjam Holt, bought the business from Myers for an undisclosed amount in 2015. Greg Holt had been the restaurant’s longtime chef.
“It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to own and operate my own restaurant,” Holt told The Tribune at the time. “Charles and I have worked together here at the cafe for close to 14 years and together have created a real San Luis Obispo landmark. It’s my hope to continue on with the successful formula of personal service, healthy local foods and the best wines of our region.”
The Holts did not respond to a request for comment from The Tribune on why the business was closing.
Big Sky Cafe building is up for sale
According to a listing on LoopNet.com, the Broad Street building that housed the restaurant was for sale for approximately $2.1 million as of Oct. 4.
The listing noted that the building was home to Big Sky Cafe, which had two years left on its lease and was “currently for sale.”
This is the latest in a string of business closures or moves in the same downtown block.
Highwater, an upscale cocktail bar located two doors down from Big Sky, closed in May after a little more than a year in the space.
Meanwhile, Monika’s Macarons moved from its spot between Highwater and Big Sky to a new location on Chorro Street in June.
The closure announcement is the second for a longtime San Luis Obispo restaurant in a matter of days.
Last week, Splash Cafe announced it was shutting its location on Monterey Street after 18 years.
