Lexington’s Summit abruptly loses another high-profile, original restaurant tenant
A restaurant that was one of the original tenants of The Summit at Fritz Farm has closed abruptly, just days ahead of Thanksgiving.
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar opened in 2017 at the then-brand-new $153 million upscale mixed-use development at Nicholasville Road and Man o’ War Boulevard.
CRÚ anchored one end of a green space at The Summit, opposite Shake Shack at the other end, with Chef Ouita Michel’s Honeywood nearby.
It was the first and only Kentucky location of the restaurant, which boasted a wine list with more than 300 selections as well as a Napa-style menu with items such as lobster & shrimp potstickers, charcuterie, stone-fired pizza, filet mignon, lemon thyme roasted chicken and artisan cheese plates.
The chain’s website still lists the restaurant as open, but a sign on the restaurant’s door says it’s closed as of Sunday. The chain had been offering a special Thanksgiving dinner for Thursday, Nov. 28. A man inside the restaurant on Monday said they had been emailing patrons with reservations to let them know that dinner was canceled.
“We regret to inform you that Cru Food & Wine Bar (sic) at Fritz Farm will be closing its operations effectively from November 24, 2024,” according to a sign on the front door. “Despite our best efforts to sustain the business, the ongoing market volatility and unforeseen economic circumstances have forced us to make this difficult decision. We want to extend our deepest appreciation for all our guests’ patronage throughout the years. It has been a pleasure serving you, and we hope to cross paths in the future under more favorable circumstances.”
The website lists 15 locations nationwide.
Posts on social media indicate that servers were told on Friday, Nov. 22, that CRÚ would be closing that weekend. “CRÚ Food & Wine Bar - The Summit is closing permanently. Staff found out on Friday...only 2 days notice,” one patron shared on Facebook.
“I was sad to go to Cru Wine Bar in The Summit yesterday to find out it was their last day. Management waited to tell their staff until yesterday, which is appalling the week before the holidays begin. I feel so bad for our sweet server, Delores. It was everything she could do to keep the tears at bay. Shame on Cru’s corporate office,” another customer shared online.
Brian Voyles, general manager of The Summit for management team Centennial REC confirmed that CRU had “made the difficult decision to close the restaurant.”
Other Summit restaurant losses
This is at least the eighth major restaurant tenant to leave The Summit, and the second to close in a year. Buzzed Bull Creamery closed in December 2023.
Ted’s Montana Grill closed in February 2019. Babalu Tapas and Tacos closed in July 2019. The Summit’s food hall, called The Barn, closed in 2020 and the last food tenant, Whiskey Bear bar, left in October 2021. Steel City Pops closed in November 2021. World of Beer closed in July 2022.
This story was originally published November 25, 2024 at 10:02 AM.
