The Reluctant Fisherman Bar & Restaurant announced on Wednesday it would be closing its doors immediately and indefinitely, citing market hardships.
Owner Sarah Hall, who bought the establishment during the COVID-19 pandemic, said she’s “truly saddened” by the decision to close.
“The reality is that we don’t live full-time in Cordova and haven’t been able to check on the business nearly as often as we had hoped; and, this created a number of challenges we were ultimately unable to overcome,” she told The Cordova Times.
The primary challenge has been market conditions, according to the business, which “have made it unsustainable to keep the restaurant and bar open.”
The restaurant – which sits adjacent to the Reluctant Fisherman Inn facing the harbor on Railroad Avenue – has boasted a menu of fresh seafood and some of the best views in town for more than 50 years.
“There’s nothing quite like spending a warm, sunny day on the deck of The Reluctant Fisherman or enjoying a hearty dinner in the main dining room,” Hall said. “We’ve cherished decades of dining there and know how special it is to so many in the community. Before purchasing it during COVID, we had long been guests ourselves.”
While the restaurant and bar will close, the inn will continue business as usual.
Back in April, the restaurant announced it would begin closing on Mondays, but would be open for lunch from Tuesday through Sunday. The business has sometimes closed its doors for short periods during the slower winter months, but has usually reopened for the Cordova Iceworm Festival after the New Year.
And while the future of the business is unclear, Hall said she’s hopeful The Reluctant Fisherman can be resurrected in the future.
“Our hope now is that someone with the right experience and a closer connection to the community will take over and bring new life to the restaurant,” she said. “The space and opportunity is there for success, we truly hope to see The Reluctant Fisherman Bar & Restaurant reopen soon under new ownership.”
This story was updated on Nov. 13 with information from Sarah Hall.
