Marie's Cafe to close Sunday

MEDINA — Myriad reasons contributed to the closing of Marie's Cafe this Sunday after 16 years on the square. "It's a culmination of things," owner Brian Hilberg said Friday. "It was compounded by COVID. Every restaurant in town is struggling. We got hit hard. "We've been talking about how to survive during the pandemic." Hilberg, a former City Councilman and current member of the Medina Board of Education, said when he opened the restaurant at 117 Public Square, Marie's Cafe was one of only two restaurants around the square that served breakfast. The other was next door at the now defunct Eli's Kitchen. Now, there are several restaurants serving breakfast. "My piece of the pie was getting smaller and smaller," he said. "Throw in COVID on top of that, it was a recipe for failure." His restaurant was hurt when Gov. Mike DeWine shut down all restaurants in the spring and said it didn't help when DeWine was threatening to shut them down once again after coronavirus numbers started to soar. "We've seen a steady decline of business," Hilberg said. He said he had hoped to make it through the end of the year and close the restaurant at the first of the year, but said he figured he'd shut things down now, enjoy the holidays and come back strong in the spring with his new creation, Swine BBQ, he plans to open March 3. "We'll specialize in pork," he said. According to a recent survey by the Ohio Restaurant Association, nearly 60 percent of the state's restaurant owners said they likely will be forced to permanently close within six months without additional federal financial support, while 66 percent of businesses reported operating at 60 percent capacity or less. Hilberg announced the closing on Facebook on Friday morning, saying "COVID-19 has forced many unwelcome changes resulting in concerns about the sustainability of our current business model." Hilberg said he and his wife, Mary, are "committed to continuing our presence in Medina, but in order to navigate and survive this pandemic, changes are necessary." He's excited for the new adventure in the future — a new atmosphere, a new name and a whole new menu — and said the space will be renovated and have outdoor dining with smoker and picnic tables behind the establishment. "We'll have wood floors and barn siding (in the restaurant)," he said. "We tried to keep it quiet, but the cat got out of the bag (Friday) morning. "It will be authentic Texas barbecue. Nothing will be reheated. We'll be open for lunch and dinner or until we run out of meat." Eventually, he wants to serve brunch on Sundays. Senate President Larry Obhof, R-Montville Township, will be one of the people who will miss Marie's. "I'll miss the eggs Benedict," he said Friday. Hilberg said it's been a "sincere honor" to serve his customers for the past 16 years. "We hope (they) will join us on our journey to bring (them) a new dining experience in early spring," he said. Contact reporter Bob Finnan at (330) 721-4049 or rfinnan@medina-gazette.com.