, which served French and Asian-inspired food in a cozy, country-French cafe to locals for the last six years, will close its doors for good on March 30.
"We're really sad," said co-owner Leslie Williams, a Bedford Hills resident and sister to Michael Williams, chef. "We'll miss our steady customers very much. We had a good run but it wasn't enough to sustain us."
Williams said the cafe and catering business was hit hard by the recession and never fully recovered.
"We've become philosophical about it. You can have a great product but it just doesn't work. This was a learning experience and we are moving on," she said.
Jarry and the Williamses said they planned to re-group and prepare for their next culinary adventure, a new restaurant to open in Mount Kisco in early 2013. The plan is for them to at 130-132 Main St.
With family friend Francoise Jarry, the Williamses opened the Perennial Chef in 2006 and set out to use local and organic ingredients in simply seasoned dishes.
The partners also got involved with the community and supported causes like the
In 2010, they but that business only lasted a year. At the time, Williams said, they were experimenting with ways to increase foot traffic in both locations, and trying to stay open to help their staff through some tough economic times.
"We kept it going as long as we could," said Williams.
In a statement released Monday afternoon, the three partners said they wanted to thank their customers for their loyalty and support:
As a start-up launched in 2006, we are very proud of having developed a great product, built a loyal customer base and gotten our staff through the worst economic downturn of our lifetimes. Unfortunately, we never fully recovered from the recession. We have come to the realization that our business, in its current incarnation, has run its natural course and that it is time for us to rest and regroup for our next adventure.
Jarry and the Williamses said they planned to re-group and prepare for their next culinary adventure, a new restaurant to open in Mt. Kisco in early 2013.
Locals can sign up on their website to find out opening details.
What will you miss about the Perennial Chef? Tell us in the comments.
