A Battle Creek restaurant mainstay for more than three decades, Clara’s on the River, located at 44 McCamly St., closed its doors for good following Sunday brunch on Sept. 6.
Five days earlier on Sept. 1, restaurant owners Ross and Julie Simpson issued a statement that Clara’s would be closing citing economic challenges.
“It is with both a heavy heart and mixed emotions that we announced the closure of Clara’s on the River, effective Sept. 6,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, the reason for our closure is primarily due to the increased competition from national chains in our market, continued high food and energy costs and the unaffordable maintenance costs concerning our 35-year-old HVAC system… Come say goodbye to this beautiful building and the legacy it holds.”…