ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It’s a series of big losses for one of Albuquerque’s most unique business districts just days apart from each other. Three Nob Hill restaurants said they’ve either closed or will be shutting their doors for good soon.
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A 30-year-staple in Nob Hill, O’Niell’s owners said it wasn’t an easy choice to close but they said business just hasn’t been the same in several years. “We just had to make a decision as businesses has fallen off,” said Rob O’Niell, owner of O’Niell’s Pub.
The owner of O’Niell’s Pub in Nob Hill said in the past four years business has not been as smooth as it used to be. Increasing food costs and fewer people walking through the doors are some of the reasons they’re closing next month. “Two things that happened kind of simultaneously in 2020 was that ART came online and COVID happened, so those two affected the store on central,” said April O’Niell, owner of O’Niell’s Pub.
“I had a customer ask me yesterday very specifically, ‘did you choose to close the restaurant on Central because of the homelessness?’ and I stopped, and I thought of all the reasons of why we are closing the restaurant on Central and the answer honestly is no,” said April O’Niell.
They face a thin margin between costs versus how much the Nob Hill location was bringing in. Owner Rob O’Niell said now is a good time to step away from Central while they plan to keep their other pub open in the Heights. “It’s hard on everybody, it’s hard on the community, staff, and hard on us personally,” said Rob O’Niell.
O’Niell’s is one of three nearby food businesses closing up. The owners behind Slice Parlor and Salt and Board are also exiting the Nob Hill – University area with Slice Parlor already shut down and Salt and Board closing this weekend.
“It’s definitely a huge loss in our community but I’m hopeful Nob Hill is one of our walkable areas in town that have over 20 other restaurants,” said Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers, District 6.
But Rogers still thinks the future remains bright for the area saying the neighborhood is still attractive for other businesses to move in. “I’m just advocating for funding so we can give some businesses much-needed improvements for facades, for safety, for all the different things that they want and need,” said Rogers.
O’Niell’s will close the Central Ave. location down on November 3. KRQE News 13 tried to speak with employees at Salt and Board about their closure but they declined an interview.
Councilor Rogers said the community can provide input about what they want like to see fixed up in Nob Hill.
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