LAKEVIEW — Coobah is closing for good on Aug. 17, the restaurant announced Friday.
Owner Jimmy Madla said last month that he planned to close the popular Latin-inspired restaurant sometime "at the end of summer" when its lease expired.
Madla said he originally had hoped to shut down the restaurant at 3423 N. Southport Ave. and negotiate a better lease elsewhere. He wanted to reopen in next year.
But "after much reflection and soul-searching," the restaurateur said he was scrapping relocation plans. Madla recently partnered with Coalfire Pizza, which is opening a second location at 3707 N. Southport Ave. this fall.
"I need to focus all my efforts on this new project," Madla said. "And as much as I would like, I simply do not have the time or resources to take on a relocation of our beloved Coobah."
Madla said most of the Coobah staff will come with him to Coalfire, and he thanked loyal supporters Friday on Facebook:
"Thank you customers, staff, family and friends for 12 years of memories. We look forward to seeing you all at Coobah for a final farewell."
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