Mike DeWald (@mike_dewald)
Gerard Nebesky, Chef/Owner of Gerard’s Paella Y Tapas on 4th Street in downtown Santa Rosa, announced Tuesday that he would be closing his brick and mortar restaurant early next week. Nebesky, who opened the paella-focused restaurant in 2018, said that Gerard’s would close at the end of service on Monday February 3rd. The lease for the space will remain active, and the restaurant will continue to offer pop-up meals and special events, including participating in lunch and dinner specials for Sonoma County Restaurant Week in late February.
“It just breaks my heart to make this decision,” said Nebesky in a statement, “People love our food but there is just not enough of them in this part of town. The beautiful thing about a restaurant is that it enables you to meet a community – and that part of this project has been a total success!”
Nebesky pointed to both the downtown parking rules as well as a burgeoning homeless population as contributing factors for his and other downtown Santa Rosa businesses, but also said the business climate in Santa Rosa also plays a part.
“The city simply doesn’t put out any money to support us,” said Nebesky, “There weren’t even any holiday decorations up around the Plaza before Christmas. It just doesn’t feel like a welcoming place – and that’s a shame because Santa Rosans are lovely people.”
The catering arm of the company will continue on, feeding thousands over roughly 200 annual festivals. The restaurant plans to offer deep discounts and specials over each of its final nights, Wednesday through Sunday. The restaurant will close out with a final party on Monday February 3rd featuring Gerard’s Monday Night Special food and wine pairing.
“We decided to reopen at the end of February just to participated in the lunch and dinner programs for Sonoma County Restaurant Week. I already miss the regular faces and the great people who work and eat here. That will be a great way to reconnect,” said Nebesky.
The closure follows a string of recent restaurant closures downtown, including Stout Brothers, Mercato, and the Jade Room.