A well-regarded culinary establishment in Downtown Columbus, Little Palace Restaurant, announced its impending closure after a 15-year tenure serving the community. According to WBNS, the restaurant located at 240 South 4th St. will shut its doors tomorrow night. Little Palace invites patrons to savor its offerings for a final time from today until its closing hours tomorrow, from 11 a.m. until midnight.
The closure announcement follows closely on the heels of El Camino Inn, situated in the same quarter of Downtown Columbus, shutting its doors permanently just days prior. As reported by The Columbus Dispatch, the building housing for both establishments was acquired about a year ago by the real estate firm Mason Equity. Yet, negotiations over a new lease fell short for the restaurant owners. Tina Corbin, co-owner of Little Palace, stressed that the new lease terms, which included increased responsibilities for building repairs, were not feasible. "They didn't present us with the lease that was conducive of us staying," she said. Concern also spiked regarding how the Bluestone project might affect the businesses, although this was not directly cited as a reason for the termination of the lease.
In a statement obtained by NBC4i, the Corbins expressed a heartfelt message, "For over a decade, Little Palace has been more than just a restaurant or bar. It’s been a gathering place, a second home, and a tapestry woven with countless memories shared over meals and drinks. Little Palace has been more than just a restaurant or bar for over a decade. It’s been a gathering place, a second home, and a tapestry woven with countless memories shared over meals and drinks. The friendships, laughter, and sense of community you’ve brought through our doors will remain with us forever."
This departure is not just the closure of another local restaurant; it marks an erosion to the fabric of Fourth Street's dining scene, a hub known for its collection of unique eateries. Public reaction captured in social media comments reflects a mixture of appreciation for the years of service and dismay at the loss of a cherished locale. "People have spent a lot of time and they have a lot of memories and emotions, first dates and engagements and all kinds of things in our restaurant. So it's sad," Corbin told The Columbus Dispatch. Meanwhile, nearby establishment Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace, operating under a different landlord, reports no such lease issues and will continue its operations.
