Four restaurants close their doors in downtown Macon. But at least one will be reborn

Despite the synergy created with new restaurants, lofts and other businesses opening and coming to downtown Macon, there also have been a few losses.

Four downtown restaurants have closed recently for a variety of reasons from the COVID-19 pandemic to staff shortages to the owner’s health.

These restaurants include an Italian eatery, a Thai restaurant, an international cafe featuring Brazilian food and a tapas bar. But at least one of these will become a new restaurant and likely open in the fall.

Sophia’s on Second Street

Friday, Ron Whidby is expected to pick up the keys to his new restaurant and cocktail bar at 428 Second St., the former spot of Lazy Susan’s Tapas Bar, which served up their last meal Sunday.

The new restaurant will be called Sophia’s on Second Street, named after the 6-month-old daughter of Whidby and his girlfriend Kristin Quick.

Whidby and his business partner haven’t settled on a restaurant concept yet but expect it will be a high end restaurant and cocktail bar. Sophia’s on Second Street is targeted to open in September.

This will make the third restaurant within a couple of miles of each other for Whidby, who co-owns both Cashman’s Pub at 370 Cherry St. in downtown Macon and The Library Taphouse and Kitchen at 1530 Mercer University Drive near Mercer University.

Serving up small plates, wine and cocktails, Ryan Smith opened Lazy Susan’s Tapas Bar in late 2019.

“It’s been a true blessing getting to know and getting to serve y’all … In this industry, it’s you, the guests, that make all of this worth it,” Smith posted on Facebook.

Closures

La Bella Vita Italian Kitchen — Open for about a year, this full-service Italian restaurant and bar at 347 Cotton Ave. suddenly closed last week with a note on the door, “Sorry, shut down.” Their website announced, “We are closed until further notice!” And their Facebook page was no more. Co-owner Donny Barnes said COVID-19 and staff shortages just made it impossible for the restaurant to make a go of it.

Bossa Novas — This international cafe that served up coffee, snacks, pastries, cakes and healthy sandwiches and dishes at 490 Cherry St. closed in late March after about two years in operation. In a Facebook post to customers, owners cited family matters and downtown safety issues. The restaurant is expected to reopen at a new location in Valdosta this fall.

Ladda Bistro — Initially announcing a temporary closure after owner Chef Tom Sarrtsud was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in March, this popular Thai restaurant at 442 Cherry St. held a liquidation sale last weekend. The family is also liquidating other assets, including a house they own near their Warner Robins home and their Watson Boulevard storefront where they once operated their Ladda Thai restaurant until 2010. A GoFundMe page also has been created for Chef Tom.

Temporary closure

Meanwhile, Michael’s on Mulberry at 588 Mulberry St. temporarily closed for renovation of the building by the building’s new owner. The restaurant is located on the first floor.

The restaurant, which has been in operation about 22 years and changed ownership in 2018, is expected to reopen once renovation is complete. Scarlett Syme, the general manager of Michael’s, could not be reached for comment.

New and coming downtown restaurants

Pearl Passionate Cuisine & Cocktails — This casual fine dining, European-type bistro opened to the public Tuesday at 470 First St. following a successful private soft opening for friends and family the prior week. Reservations are required only at the full-service bar but highly recommended for dining.

Philosophie Charcuterie and Wine Bar — An intimate upscale gathering spot focused on a top-notch wine selections and charcuterie boards is expected to open soon at 616 Poplar St. The interior remodel continues.

Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs — Jan and Andy Clark are bringing this popular franchise restaurant back to downtown at 596 Cherry St. at the corner of Cherry and Second streets in the first floor of the building that houses the Barfield Lofts. The interior remodel is in progress.

Fatty’s — This pizza joint is expected to move from its 344 Second St. location into a larger space a block away at 587 Cherry St. The current location, which is still in operation, is expected to close after the move and then reopen later on as a sandwich spot.

Opened earlier this year

The Lazy Donkey — Enrique Lopez and Napoleon Onate opened this Mexican restaurant at 379 Third St. in February in the spot that formerly housed another Mexican restaurant, the Acapulco. They also are partners in El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant at 610 North Ave. in Macon and El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant at 208 Old Clinton Road in Gray.

Hello Boba Cafe — With its Cherry Blossom/Asian pop culture themed cafe at 359 Third St., this Boba tea shop owned and operated by Renee Tu opened in March. She also offers Bubble Waffles and pre-packaged Asian snacks.

Hotel Forty Five — The new 94-room boutique, 11-story hotel that opened in February at 401 Cotton Ave offers three dine and drink options: Loom, a chef-driven restaurant, Hightales Rooftop Bar on the sixth floor and Reckon Coffee & Wine Bar.

These new dining options are in addition to other business opening soon or coming to downtown Macon, including The Woodward Hotel, a nine-room boutique hotel at the corner of Second Street and Mulberry Lane, and the Quill, a cocktail bar on site but with a separate public entrance. The targeted opening is late summer.