Melt Bar and Grilled owner Matt Fish announced on Instagram that he has made the difficult decision to permanently close all locations of the restaurant chain. The closure comes after years of struggling with debt and declining sales, despite efforts to reorganize and restructure the company.
Fish shared his story in a New Year’s Day post, explaining that the pandemic had drastically changed the restaurant industry and forced him to make difficult decisions to save the company. However, even with these efforts, the financial burden of bankruptcy proved too great.
Melt Bar and Grilled filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2024, aiming to slash its debt. The last remaining location in Lakewood temporarily closed for renovations before reopening with a new menu and renewed hopes. Fish stated that he has no regrets about leaving the company, citing his accomplishments and the success of the restaurant chain.
At its peak, Melt Bar and Grilled had over 12 locations across Ohio, earning it a reputation as a staple in Lakewood. Local resident David McElhattan remembered the restaurant’s popularity, saying it was always busy and highly recommended by friends and locals alike.
Source: https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/end-of-the-line-melt-bar-and-grilled-closing-its-last-restaurant