Pasadena's culinary landscape is losing a gem as Bar Chelou, a restaurant that swiftly climbed the ranks to win awards and national acclaim, has announced that it will close its doors on February 16, 2025, after a run of just two years. According to Eater LA, Chef Doug Rankin made the decision not to renew the restaurant's lease which is set to expire at the end of February, following a significant drop in business in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire that ravaged nearby Altadena, affecting both the community and the restaurant's clientele.
Given that 30 percent of Bar Chelou's regular customers came from the fire-stricken area of Altadena where the Eaton Fire destroyed thousands of structures and displaced numerous families Chef Rankin experienced a steep decline in patrons following the disaster, "We braced ourselves for a drop, knowing we would see a 20 to 30 percent decrease in business," Rankin declared in a statement obtained by Eater LA, "But in reality, it was closer to 50 percent. I love this city so much and thought we’d be here forever. But you have to read the writing on the wall and cut your losses."
The restaurant's closure was also confirmed on their official Instagram page, with a heartfelt message that thanked customers for their support and teased future updates on Bar Chelou's relocation endeavors. Bar Chelou had made a mark with a varied menu that melded Chef Rankin's Los Angeles influences, French training, and an array of international flavors, earning it spots on prestigious lists, such as the Los Angeles Times 101 Best Restaurant List and Eater's 12 Best New Restaurants in America.
Before closing the Pasadena location, Chef Rankin intends to venture into pop-up kitchens throughout Southern California and eventually, to plant Bar Chelou's roots in Denver, Colorado, expressing an admiration for Denver's expanding dining scene his inspiration bolstered by other Los Angeles chefs who successfully branched out to Denver, including chef Ludo Lefebvre and his establishment Chez Maggy which opened there in 2022. While Rankin sees potential in a future return to the Los Angeles dining circuit, he remains focused on the forthcoming Colorado chapter, "Building the Bar Chelou brand has been an incredible experience and the concept will live on. I’m so thankful to my partners and my team and everybody that’s been a part of it so far," Rankin stated according to an interview with Eater LA.
