After serving the Squirrel Hill community for nearly four decades, Murray Avenue Grill is set to permanently close its doors on December 28. The announcement, which was made on the restaurant's Facebook page, marked the end of an era for the beloved Pittsburgh eatery, which has been a fixture since its opening in 1986. CBS News Pittsburgh reported the closing, sharing words from the restaurant's statement: "Since our founding in 1986 it has been our privilege to serve this community and to build lasting relationships with our customers, employees, and neighbors."
In detailing the reasons behind the closure, owner Brian Allenbaugh revealed, per Audacy, that the decision was influenced by "a number of factors, including economic conditions after the pandemic." Allenbaugh has also apparently been splitting his time between Pittsburgh and Florida, which played a role in his choice to shut down the business. The tough economic landscape has seen many similar establishments struggle to maintain profit margins that once allowed them to thrive.
The community has expressed both surprise and sadness at the news of the Grill's impending closure. Regular patrons of Murray Avenue Grill will surely miss the consistency and familiarity that the restaurant represented in Squirrel Hill, a sentiment echoed in the establishment's social media farewell: "We are profoundly grateful for the trust and loyalty you have shown us throughout the years. Your support has allowed us not only to grow as a business but also to become part of the fabric of this community," CBS News Pittsburgh reported.
Allenbaugh also indicated that there will be a new venture taking over the soon-to-be-vacant space on Murray Avenue, teasing that something new will be coming in the months ahead.
