ok I got this from the local newspaper.......
Jillian's clears tables for good
Downtown bar, restaurant closes after 9 years
Beacon Journal staff report
Jillian's restaurant, one of the cornerstones of downtown Akron's renaissance, closed without warning on Memorial Day.
By Tuesday morning, many of the furnishings had already been removed from the restaurant and bar on South Main Street.
The once-profitable location lost money for the past 14 months, said Chuck Corcoran, vice president of marketing for Jillian's parent company, JBC Entertainment of Louisville, Ky.
``These decisions are always tough,'' he said. ``We hate to leave the city.... We just couldn't get it back to profitability.''
According to an e-mail from a laid-off employee, about 50 people lost their jobs.
Akron Deputy Mayor David Lieberth released a statement Tuesday that expressed gratitude for Jillian's involvement in the revitalization of the south end of downtown.
``We're pleased that Jillian's was one of the first businesses to show confidence in downtown Akron after Canal Park opened in 1997,'' he said. ``They were a valuable part of our downtown community.''
He said that the hospitality industry ``makes changes quickly, and we would hope to attract another food and beverage business to take their place in an important block of downtown.''
Corcoran said that Jillian's couldn't continue to invest in the property without signs that its bottom line would improve.
``We had a great nine years and really want to thank the Akron community for embracing us,'' he said.
Jillian's was leasing the property, which is owned by South Stadium Square LLC, according to Summit County property records.
Akron attorney Kevin Davis, one of the owners of South Stadium Square, said he was surprised by Jillian's closure.
Throughout the years, Davis said, other restaurant operators have asked about the space.
``It's a great location,'' Davis said. ``I'm sure we'll get an operator in soon that will make it a success.''
Jillian's two nearest locations, in Cleveland Heights and Boardman (near Youngstown), remain open.
``Those locations are doing fine and are continuing to operate as normal,'' Corcoran said.
now this is the second restaruant that closed up without even giving notice to anyone since the smoking ban has taken affect. hmmmmmmmm makes ya think doesn't it?
