East Nashville's Lou to close after nearly five years, citing 'current climate'

After less than five years in business, East Nashville's hip all-day café and wine bar Lou announced its closure Tuesday.

Chef Mailea Weger first opened the restaurant in September 2019 inside of an Inglewood Craftsman cottage in Riverside Village, and it quickly became known as one of the city's top restaurants.

From the fried mortadella and ricotta sandwich to the bay scallop crudo and a long list of natural wines, Weger's menu included inspiration from places like Southern California's vegetable-forward restaurants and Parisian cafés alike. She also received a James Beard nomination, landing among the semifinalists for Best Chef in the Southeast .

"Not all great things are meant to last forever," a statement on Lou's social media said. "As we celebrate turning five next month, we will also be celebrating the closing of our doors forever in this little house."

The leadership team at the restaurant decided it was "impossible" to run Lou in the way they wanted to "in this current climate." While the statement did not specify the exact pressures that lead to the closure, possibilities include rising costs of commercial real estate and demands for rising wages with inflation.

Earlier this month, another Nashville favorite Sinema Restaurant + Bar announced its closure citing inflation . The restaurant will officially close later this week after 10 years in business.

Lou's final day open will be Sept. 15. The restaurant plans to host a closing party for its staff and surrounding community on the front lawn that day.

Hadley Hitson covers trending business, dining and health care for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: East Nashville's Lou to close after nearly five years, citing 'current climate'