Decade-Old Damen Avenue Restaurant to Shutter After New Year's Eve

After nearly 10 years in business, Bucktown's Feast will serve up its last meal on New Year's Eve.

The restaurant at 1616 N. Damen Ave. first opened in 1997. Its final soiree will feature a "Greatest Hits" menu to bid adieu, according to a Chicago Tribune report. Owner Debbie Sharpe told reporters that the closure follows the sale of the building.

"The new owners want to convert much of it to retail, she said, and offered her a smaller space," the story say. "Sharpe was unwilling to undertake the 'cost of renovating and re-concepting and just doing everything' the project would have entailed."

Sharpe is also behind Goddess and Grocer, Goddess and the Baker and Goddess Rocks catering. She posted a message to Feast's Facebook fans in mid-December.

"Feast will serve it's last meal on New Year's Eve," she said. "We are so proud to be part of such a growing and dynamic neighborhood that has supported local businesses and with a lease coming up for renewal, it was the perfect time to say goodbye. I can't thank you enough for your loyalty and friendships that have been nurtured over the years. We could not have survived without you or our truly fantastic staff."

Photo courtesy of the Feast Facebook page.