WAILUKU - The Lahaina Store Grille & Oyster Bar, known for its alfresco rooftop seating along Front Street, has closed.
Mac Lowson, one of the property managers and owners of the Lahaina Store building, confirmed that the restaurant closed its doors Jan. 5. The restaurant's owner, Mark Joslin, could not be reached for comment this week.
"It's a tough year. Everyone is having trouble, especially restaurants," Lowson said.
Lowson was not surprised with the closing, saying it was something that was being discussed "for a while."
"We were hoping the market would turn around, unfortunately it did not," he said.
Lowson said Joslin "put in a big effort" in trying to keep the restaurant going, but it was too difficult because of the lagging economy. He said that the restaurant is unique not only for its size - 10,000 square feet - but with indoor and outdoor seating that make its challenging to run.
The restaurant opened in November 2005, Lowson said. According to its Web site, the restaurant had 150 seats on its open-air rooftop dining area and 230 seats in its "grand dining area" on the second level of the Lahaina Store building.
The historic building, a grocery store when Lahaina was a quiet plantation town, has been home to Planet Hollywood and now houses the Billabong surf store and other shops.
The closure did surprise some patrons such as Elaine Morrison who was staying at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa last weekend.
Morrison made reservations for the restaurant through an independent online reservation service Jan. 9 and received immediate confirmation. But when she showed up Jan. 10 she found the restaurant's downstairs entry gate locked, although the restaurant's lights were on and ceiling fans were running.
Lowson said "it's very lonely" without the restaurant.
"We are very much in hope of opening once again with a new restaurant soon," he said.
There is already one offer on the table and four or five people have also expressed interest in the site, Lowson said. The number of interested people surprised Lowson, especially with the downturn in the economy.
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
