The Purple Martin to Close on December 23

The Purple Martin, a gem in the Fox Park neighborhood serving sandwiches and Mediterranean-inspired fare, announced it will close its doors after service on Friday, December 23.

Owner Brooke Roseberry, a resident of Fox Park for 17 years, opened the restaurant in 2014 as a gathering place for the community.

"I just wanted something in my neighborhood that was warm and friendly," she says. "That part I was good at. Getting the place to run well was not my strength."

Kevin A. Roberts

The Purple Martin

Roseberry adds that there are others with restaurant experience who are interested in taking over The Purple Martin, and that discussions are still ongoing. In the meantime, Roseberry reflects on the opportunities the restaurant provided and the people she's gotten to know.

"Getting to meet people who have recently come to the neighborhood has been unbelievable," she says. "I can't even tell you how rewarding that has been... People [who have recently moved to the neighborhood] have told me that they talked to someone at the restaurant sitting at the bar or sitting near them, and now a few months later, they're best friends."

While new owners potentially take over some time in 2017, Roseberry says she looks forward to spending more time with her family and the community.

Comments flooded the restaurant's closing announcement on Facebook. One user said they had driven 45 minutes from Illinois—more than once—to dine at The Purple Martin. Others commended the food, the friendly staff, and Roseberry's dedication.

When The Purple Martin opened more than two years ago on its corner at Shenandoah and California, SLM dining critic Joe Bonwich described it as "the South Side meets North African cuisine in a neighborhood restaurant unlike any other." Executive chef Dale Williams was brought on board in October 2015 and created a "pared-down" menu with weekend specials.