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The third outpost in Ken Gordon's Kenny & Zuke's mini empire closed its doors on Sunday, May 31. The Kenny & Zuke's Deli Bar, which took over the former Pix Patisserie space on N. Williams back in September 2012, offered a smaller, pared-down version of the flagship downtown, but with the added benefit of cocktails and snacks.
"This was a very hard decision for us, and was a combination of several factors," Gordon told us via email. "First, the location itself was under-performing, and while we think that eventually — and with what's going on in that neighborhood — it would do better, we felt it was important at this juncture to put our energies towards improving our two other locations. Second, we just got an offer we couldn't refuse."
Gordon says the opportunity to sell the spot to new owners was too good to pass up considering the Deli Bar's challenges. The new owners plan to turn it into a salad bar concept called Crisp.
Gordon hints at a few other projects he has in the works, saying he'll reveal more details this summer. Meanwhile, he's in the process of revamping the menu at the flagship deli downtown to add new sandwiches, more vegan and vegetarian dishes, and options for smaller servings.
"It's definitely with mixed feelings that we leave the space and that neighborhood," he says, "and we hope our wonderful customers there will understand and frequent our other two locations."