After more than three decades in Evanston, the Davis Street Fishmarket restaurant, at 501 Davis St., has closed.
The restaurant’s owners announced the closure over the weekend on their website, saying in part:
“We are fortunate to have had such a great run, and we’re extremely proud of it. The restaurant business has changed in Evanston; when we opened we were one of only a handful of restaurants, and that number has dramatically changed.
“Nobody ever said the restaurant business is easy. It is a daily battle to keep your head above the water line. It’s also rewarding, creative and enjoyable. Throwing a daily party for people is really fun. Now, it’s time to wrap it up and sell the restaurant.”
Time for a city loan
Will we read tomorrow that city officials will consider a loan for the owners of the Davis Street Fish Market to open another restaurant just as it did for Dave’s Italian Kitchen?
Exactly
I literally just said this to my husband after reading this article…almost word for word. It's sad that we all expect more incompetence from the city regarding loans.
Davis Street Fishmarket Closes
Maybe Mayor Liz & the City Council should let the owners rent the Harley Clarke Mansion for $1 @ year & reopen there.
Makes as much sense as anything else the City has done!
No to loan
The city should most definitely not offer a loan so that they can open up a new restaurant. Someone will buy the space and, perhaps, they will open a new restaurant here. It’s not the city’s job to fund the opening of new dining establishments.
The city doesn’t have money
The city doesn't have money to give hard working business owners a helping hand but has endless amount of cash to give to institutions like section 8, several mental facilities and the rice center. That's money they will never see again and is a constant drain on the city because the police, fire and hospitals are constantly dealing with people that take advantage of these institutions. God forbid we help the middle class people.
Congratulations on a great
Congratulations on a great run and doing it without City funding.
Sad news
This is really sad news. I had many memorable meals at Davis Street Fishmarket. It was one of my family's favorite places to celebrate special events.
Good run, but you can’t rest on your laurels
If you are not at the top of the game in the restaurant industry, as DSFM was not, you close. In any industry you cannot rest on your laurels, you must continue to innovate.
Not surprising at all
With the snarky sendoff attacking reviewers I can't feel sorry for those who successfully drove this historic restaurant into the ground. It's telling that the Facebook eulogy is full of fond memories; most based on experiences from a decade ago or longer. I have an out-of-town friend who had one of the best meals of his life at DSFM about 15 years ago so I acknowledge that this place was once something special. Any discussion with locals about the place in the past decade has typically included the words 'overpriced', 'mediocre' or just plain 'meh.' It's sad when spots with a long history close but some just simply outstay their welcome.
Davis Street Fishmarket
Tacky to the end. Once was goofy fun with good food. Went upscale and downgraded food and service… and denigrated customers. No loss.