In addition to our normal news coverage, What Now Atlanta is tracking ways Atlanta’s businesses are adapting to the novel coronavirus and the challenges it brings to brick-and-mortars.
Noble Fin will host its last dinner service on Saturday, June 27.
Owner Cliff Bramble announced plans to permanently close the seafood restaurant Friday in an email to patrons. Bramble has long been a staple in Atlanta’s restaurant scene having co-founded Rathbun’s, Krog Bar, Kevin Rathbun Steak and KR SteakBar.
In what is becoming an all-too-familiar-story in a mounting list of closures, Bramble said that COVID-19 was to blame for the Noble Fin’s permanent departure.
Read Bramble’s note in its entirety below:
To our loyal guests & friends,
Please know that this Saturday, June 27, 2020 will be our last day of service. We will be serving our regular menu items and our wines will be 50% off their listed price. Our last two nights will be tonight & Saturday night.
As you know, during this national crisis, we have tried many things to sustain our sales. While they were a temporary fix to this Covid-19 issue, several of those were not sustainable in the short or long term and do not fit within our business model. Our business model has been built upon the local business hotels, large parties, and the local residences.
With the hotels being less than 15% occupied, and the local business parks having their employees work from home, and of course, the new health perception by all of us, our sales have dwindled and have not returned to the prior levels. Without sales, and without any response, care, or support from our landlord, we simply cannot maintain a profitable company.
From the beginning of Covid-19, we have been very open with our staff about the opportunities and the consequences of this virus and the toll that it may take on our company, and while closing the restaurant seems like a turn of the key, it has actually been a very difficult decision. Our first decision was to close for eight weeks, and during that time, we raised close to $10,000 for our employees and now, we are simply having to do what is logical but difficult for the business. Until there is a cure for this virus, we simply do not see our sales returning anytime soon to make a profitable business.
All of our equipment, tables, and chairs, will be liquidated. There will be a walkthrough of the restaurant on Sunday, June 28th from 12-noon to 4:00 PM where people can stop by and see the items that are for sale. We have an entire kitchen with some beautiful, clean kitchen equipment as well as handmade walnut tables, bar coolers, and small wares. They will all be listed on Noble Fin’s website on Sunday morning.
We want to thank our staff and our loyal guests, for their support during this difficult and continued challenge of Covid -19 and from the bottom of my heart, I say thank you to all of the good friends I have personally made & met.
Cliff Bramble
Click here to read What Now Atlanta’s running lists of permanently shuttered restaurants and here for retailers, all of which have cited the novel coronavirus as the culprit.
[Editor’s note: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly evolving as is its effect on Atlanta, and the City’s businesses and its residents. Click here for What Now Atlanta’s ongoing coverage of the crisis. For guidance and updates on the pandemic, please visit the C.D.C. website.]
