Mon Chéri, the rose wall–packed champagne café in Old Town Scottsdale, is calling it quits this week. Owner and chef Lexi Caliskan shared a lengthy message saying a mix of personal turmoil and financial pressure left her with no choice but to walk away. The decision abruptly ends a short but loud run that began in 2024 and was marked by everything from packed brunches to a widely shared October break-in caught on camera.
Owner cites personal and financial strain
The restaurant’s homepage now flashes a “we are closing this week” banner and directs visitors to its social media channels, according to Mon Chéri's website. In a video posted to the restaurant’s Facebook page, Caliskan said her bank called in the mortgage and described a “tragic divorce and custody battle” that made it impossible to keep going, as reported by KTAR News. She also thanked her guests and staff, calling the experience a humbling two-year journey.
A brief, buzzy run in Old Town
Mon Chéri opened in early 2024 in a renovated 1953 Arcadia Farms building near Goldwater and First Avenue, debuting as a champagne café and charcuterie bar, local coverage noted. With pink décor, chandeliers and its now-famous rose wall, it quickly turned into a magnet for bachelorette parties and Instagram shoots, which helped fill seats fast, according to Fabulous Arizona.
Infamous burglary remains part of the story
The café grabbed national headlines in October when security video captured two people breaking in, engaging in sexual activity inside a rose display, then stealing cash and liquor. Scottsdale police later arrested two suspects and booked them on third-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools, per ABC15. Local outlets, including coverage of the intimate encounter and theft, helped the footage go viral and kept Mon Chéri in the spotlight for weeks.
What comes next
Caliskan did not outline any plans or timeline for reopening and said she needed to “move on,” according to KTAR News. The Mon Chéri website urges customers to follow its social media accounts for any future updates and to make other dining arrangements. With its ready-made, Instagram-friendly buildout and a known Old Town address, industry watchers say the space is likely to draw quick interest from new operators.
