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Broad Ripple restaurant Brugge Brasserie—known for cones of “frites” (or fries) as well as crepes, mussels and Belgian ales—has closed permanently after serving take-out during the pandemic, an owner said on the eatery’s Facebook page Thursday.
Co-owner Ted Miller initially posted on Facebook that the restaurant at 1011 E. Westfield Blvd. would close as of Friday—“this location at least. We plan to open a new Brugge somewhere, sometime.”
But he added later, “Everything is gone folks.”
“Thank you all and we’re very sorry to everyone who wanted one last Brugge meal or beer and didn’t get it,” he said.
Miller and his wife, Shannon Stone, launched the restaurant in 2005 with their former Broad Ripple High School classmates Eli Schloss and Abraham Benrubi as co-owners.
Miller and Stone were the restaurant’s managing partners. Benrubi is an in-demand Hollywood character actor best known for his roles as nurse Jerry Markovic on the TV show “ER” and Larry Kubiac on “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose.”
“For now, Shannon and I are going to step back and reflect on what we’ve learned and gained,” Miller wrote. “Then we are going to start imagining what this looks like going forward.”
The decision to shutter Brugge comes about three years after Miller and Stone closed a restaurant and a nearby craft brewery in the Mass Ave neighborhood.
Miller said then that The Owners Wife, 608 N. Park Ave., and Outliers Brewing Co., 534 E. North St., were no longer financially worth the long hours the couple was putting in.
During the city and state’s stay-at-home order, Brugge had been serving take-out beer and wine as well as frites, crepes and “mussel dinner kits,” consisting of uncooked mussels, salads, baguettes and broth.
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Now that is sad news. I am sorry to hear this.
One of my favorite restaurants. I will miss Brugge dearly. I really hope it comes back some day.
Nooooooo!!!!! A great restaurant that our family will really miss.
Merde
My husband and I are so sorry to hear this news. Great food . We will dearly miss this restaurant.
We hope it does open up again somewhere.
Whenever and wherever you open next I’ll be there!
I fear this is just the first of many independent restaurants that will disappear during the Pandemic Recession.
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If we look at things realistically, it will be tough for restaurants for a year, until there is a working coronavirus vaccine or a treatment that significantly reduces mortality so that fear is reduced. They can’t make money operating at 50% capacity with “social distance” in their dining rooms.
But, but, but I thought all the snowflakes being safe, were going to support local businesses via carry out. How is this possible?!?
Unfortunately I believe this will be the first of many to not reopen or close soon after restrictions are lifted.
Well Joey Boy looks like the additional 2 weeks has it first public announcement that it was two, two much. Step right up see if you can pay your bill another 2 weeks with out income. Joe’s the man.
I suspect alot of eateries will close. Most of them have substandard food or excessive pricing. It will be for the better too. Wouldn’t expect this place to be amongst the first big names to fall. Looking at you, Feativa and Beholder.
I’m sure there are many owners who were holding out for May 1 openings, and when the mayor extended to May 15th, the thought of paying rent, utilities, salaries and May real estate taxes without opening was the tipping point.
Heart crushing! Brugge was a huge favorite. So sad but understandable. 😔