Brian Malarkey's Gingham to Shut Down in La Mesa

The “Feast in the East” has apparently ended for Gingham restaurant.   Signs recently posted on the windows of the swanky eatery state, “Gingham is currently closed for repairs.”

However, La Mesa Today reports that the restaurant, one of a number of fabric-themed eateries owned and operated by celebrity chef Brian Malarkey, is shutting the doors permanently.  

In a statement, James Brennan, CEO of Enlightened Hospitality Group – which owns Gingham along with Malarkey – said: "Due to the unprecedented success of Searsucker and Herringbone, Enlightened Hospitality Group (EHGRP) has decided to close Gingham in an effort to remain focused on the national rollout of the companies (sic) two premier brands (Searsucker and Herringbone.) We will open a third Searsucker in Austin, next month, followed by a second Herringbone in Los Angeles scheduled to open at the end of 2013.''  

There has been widespread debate about the future of the Gingham, which featured a variety of barbecued and grilled foods, and described itself as an “Urban Cowboy Diner.”  

In December, a rumored sale of the restaurant to the popular Cohn Restaurant Group fell through, allowing the restaurant to remain in La Mesa, in the heart of the Village.      

At the time, Brennan was quoted as saying, "No, we’re not shopping Gingham. We never were, and we’re not."  

But La Mesa Today reports that a representative from the restaurant confirms that the Gingham is being sold and “is in escrow.”  

Despite the relative success of Malarkey’s other restaurants, Gingham never found the same popularity among East County diners. A year ago, Gingham presented an expanded lunch menu to try to entice more business.     

It is not yet known what will become of the space, which was formerly home to Gio’s Restaurant and Village Garden.  

Richard Felix manages the property for the land owner. He told La Mesa Today: "I can only say what it says on their door.”  

About a week before the rumors of a sale in December, an early morning fire charred the exterior of the restaurant’s patio area, which closed operations for a few days.