Three metro St. Louis area restaurants announced their closures this week: The Dam (3173 Morganford), Tapped (7278 Manchester), and BEAST Southern Kitchen & BBQ (1289 Columbia Center, Columbia, Illinois).
The Dam is slated to close tomorrow, Saturday, May 14. Owner Michele Coen tells Sauce magazine that “ongoing staffing struggles and the demands of her growing catering business,” Michele C. Catering & Events, contributed to the closure. Over its 11-year-run, The Dam became known for its premium burgers, hand-cut Belgian fries, and its catchy “slow food fast” tagline. Coen’s catering business now operates out of the kitchen at The Dark Room in The Grandel Theater in Grand Center. A menu of Coen’s burgers and fries will also be featured there on show and event nights.
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At Tapped, owners Lindsay and Ryan Reel announced this week on social media that the self-service beer and wine bar would be closing May 28. Outstanding gift cards should be redeemed by that date. No reasons were given for the closure. The post read, in part, “Over the past 5 years we have donated over $200,000 to local charities with our Charity of the Week Program, met many amazing people, and have been a proud partner with the City of Maplewood.” The post added, “We are asking our loyal customers to come back for one last pizza, appetizer, and self-pour beer! All tips will go to our dedicated staff that have selflessly worked to help raise money for local charities every week. We want them to have a comfortable send off to their next new job venture because they deserve it!” The owners also mentioned that they are looking for a sublessee and that anyone with legitimate interest should email [email protected].
On Thursday evening, David Sandusky announced in a social media video that BEAST Southern Kitchen & BBQ in Columbia, Illinois (located in the former Bully’s BBQ space) would be closing at 2 p.m. today, May 13, and that the entire staff has been offered positions at his other locations, BEAST Craft BBQ in Belleville, Illinois, and BEAST Butcher & Block in The Grove. Sandusky encouraged customers to visit his other barbecue establishments and “others as well,” mentioning Shorty’s Smokehouse and Mr. BBQ, both in Waterloo, as well as The Burnt End in Red Bud.
On a related note, the Senate is expected to begin debate next week on a $48 billion bill that could fully fund the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The Independent Restaurant Coalition recently unveiled new data, collected from nearly 1,000 members of the independent restaurant and bar community in 48 states, demonstrating the dire situation that the pandemic has created for businesses. The report indicates that 52 percent of independent restaurants and bars without these grants could close within six months. As the Senate vote is forthcoming, the coalition suggests that individuals concerned about the future of restaurants should contact their senators and raise awareness of the need for the funds on social media.
