For a healthy lunch, or after a long day at work when in need of reliably good, fresh food from a friendly place that was close to home, Miami Lakers would turn to Beverly Hills Café.
But after more than four decades in town, the institution -- famous for its honey yeast rolls, homemade salad dressings and a menu with seemingly something for everyone -- closed for good Monday.
“Dear our loved and loyal customers,” a note taped to the front door of the restaurant in the Cypress Village Shopping Center began.
“The team at Beverly Hills Café is sad to inform you that we are permanently closed,” it said. “After 43 years in business, we want to express our deepest gratitude to our amazing customers and staff for supporting us through the years. Sincerely, Management.”
It was the second hit this year to the staff of more than 50 people, who also mourned the death of the café founder, Mark I. Richman.
Richman, 68, of Coconut Grove, died April 16 from a rare disease, his family said. At one time his branded restaurant ventures included 13 Beverly Hills Cafes. The Miami Lakes location was the first.
In May, Richman’s nephew Spencer Young said the café would remain open and “continue Mark’s legacy.”
The restaurant industry is struggling to hire and retain workers while also coping with rising costs for everything from ingredients to paper goods.
Young could not immediately be reached Tuesday. At the café that morning, the lights were off and longtime Manager Maria Camp was inside, finishing payroll.
A former customer walked up to tell her how he used to go to the restaurant while growing up in town and said he was sorry to hear the café was closed.