Del Ray restaurant Bon Vivant Cafe + Farm Market (2016 Mount Vernon Avenue) announced yesterday that it would close by the end of the day.
The restaurant, which opened six years ago, said on social media and on a sign in the door that the restaurant had faced mounting difficulties over the years:
After a lot of thought, we have decided to close Bon Vivant. Tuesday 25th February was out last day.
We have enjoyed being a part of Del Ray and its community, and we have loved and appreciated all the support we have received. However, due to the increasing difficulties of running a restaurant these days we found it necessary to close.
The sudden loss caught some local residents and longtime customers by surprise.
“This is huge,” said Jeff Shad, a local resident who had been a regular at the restaurant for five years. “I had no idea they were in trouble. Coming here been part of my regular routine. There’s no other place like it. They try to source local food at a good price. I don’t know what I’m going to do now.”
Very sad to learn #DelRayVA cafe/market Bon Vivant suddenly closed Tuesday —great spot to bring kids (they had a cheerful play room). Cited “increasing difficulties of running a restaurant these days.” Cc @ARLnowDOTcom @AlexandriaNow @ArlingtonMag https://t.co/BDmCp9nHm7
— Jessica Strelitz (@jstrelitz) February 26, 2020
Jay Westcott contributed to this story
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