Melt Bar and Grilled, a popular local restaurant and bar in Lakewood, has permanently closed its doors, marking the end of an era for the community. The owner, Matt Fish, made the announcement on Wednesday, citing months of financial struggles as the reason.
Fish expressed gratitude to customers and staff for their support over the years, saying it was a difficult decision but one that came after efforts to return the business to pre-pandemic growth were unsuccessful.
The Lakewood location was first to open 18 years ago and had previously been closed twice before its final closure. Despite renovations and a relaunch in an attempt to boost revenue, the restaurant struggled to recover from losses suffered during the pandemic.
Fish plans to take time with his family following the closure. The news has left many fans of the restaurant feeling sad, including local resident Gayle Davis, who described the owner as “clearly, he loves the restaurant” and said it was “near and dear” to him.
The permanent closure brings an end to a successful 18-year run for Melt Bar and Grilled in Lakewood.
Source: https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/01/01/melt-bar-grilled-announces-permanent-closure