Smith & Wollensky steakhouse to leave Easton for Downtown

The high-end steakhouse Smith & Wollensky is planning to leave Easton for a "bigger and better" Downtown site.

The Boston-based restaurant chain known for its dry-aged steaks will leave its space at 4145 The Strand West at the end of January, when its Easton lease expires. The steakhouse opened in Easton 20 years ago, just a few years after the opening of the shopping center.

The steakhouse was doing well at Easton but was not given the opportunity to renew its lease, said Kim Lapine, chief marketing officer at PPX Hospitality Brands, the parent company of Smith & Wollensky.

"We were very happy at that location," Lapine said. "We believe they plan to change the use (of the space). We weren't given any opportunity to relocate."

Lapine said Smith & Wollensky is working on a Downtown location that she could not yet identify but one that would be "bigger, better and stronger" than the Easton site.

"Columbus customers are among our most loyal and frequent guests," she said. "We are committed to maintaining a strong presence in this great market."

Lapine said Smith & Wollensky plans to announce details of its Downtown site soon.

Easton released a statement confirming Smith & Wollensky's departure.

"Since opening in the North District expansion in June of 2002, Smith & Wollensky has had a great run at Easton Town Center," the statement read. "The restaurant will remain open through the holiday season so fans can continue to enjoy the steakhouse into January."

Easton did not said why it chose not to renew its lease with Smith & Wollensky.

The restaurant chain, founded in New York City in 1977, has nine locations, including in Boston, Chicago, New York City and London.

tmoorman@dispatch.com

@TaijuanNichole

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Steakhouse Smith & Wollensky to leave Easton, move Downtown next year