After 34 years in business as a landmark restaurant on Canal Street, Palace Café has closed its doors effective immediately, announced today by Dickie Brennan & Company.
In the decision to immediately shut down, the restaurant group cites a recent court ruling that went against the Dickie Brennan family in a fight over the fair market value over its property lease and purchase options at 605 Canal St., where the restaurant has operated since opening in 1991.
The restaurant’s lease included an agreement to purchase the three-story building from its owners, Philip Werlein Ltd., owned by the Werlein family. However, before purchasing, the Dickie Brennan family wanted the improvements made by Palace Cafe’s operators to be factored into the purchase price, but a disagreement brought both parties into court. In June, Judge Ellen M. Hazeur (Division A, Orleans Civil District Court) ruled in favor of the Werlein family. That decision is being appealed by the Dickie Brennan family.
“Friends, it is with heavy hearts that we share that Palace Café will close its doors on July 7th,” wrote Lauren Brennan Bower, Dickie Brennan, and Steve Pettus in a Facebook social media post.
“This moment comes not by choice, but by circumstance. A recent court ruling tied to our 35-year lease has made it impossible to continue operations at 605 Canal. We are appealing the decision and holding onto hope, but for now, we must say goodbye to this beloved corner of the French Quarter.”
Despite today’s decision to shut down the restaurant at 605 Canal St., the ownership group did not rule out the restaurant possibly reopening at a later date.
“We’re not ready to say Palace Café is gone forever. Should the right opportunity arise, we will welcome it with open arms. In the meantime, you can still find us doing what we love at our sister restaurants across the city.”
Palace Café opened at 605 Canal St. in 1991. It was the first restaurant to open in New Orleans from the Dickie Brennan & Co. restaurant group, which consists of Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, Bourbon House, Tableau, Acorn Café, The Commissary, Pascal’s Manale, and Audubon Clubhouse.
“For 34 years, Palace Café has stood proudly on Canal Street as a vibrant reflection of New Orleans — our music, our food, our people, our joy,” wrote Lauren, Dickie, and Steve. “Since opening in 1991 in the iconic Werlein’s music building, we’ve had the extraordinary privilege of serving millions of guests from around the world and right here at home.
The ownership group added: “We’ve witnessed weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, business deals, adoptions, Mardi Gras Magic, and even a few presidential visits. We’ve seen proposals (they all said yes!) and quiet moments that turned into lasting memories. Being a part of your lives has been the greatest gift of all. … Thank you, New Orleans, for 34 unforgettable years. You’ll always be part of our story.”
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