Cru Café, a unique gem in downtown Charleston, will close its doors Saturday

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A gem in downtown Charleston’s restaurant scene will close after more than 20 years.

Cru Café, located on Pinckney Street, has offered diners a unique option for lunch and dinner, blending Italian, Asian, Southern, Southwestern, and Caribbean cuisine.

“Two decades ago, I opened the doors to a small café on Pinckney Street, hoping to create something unique. Charleston, with its charm and soul, gave me a place to do that,” said John Zucker, the restaurant’s owner and chef.

Cru Café now bids farewell.

“Restaurants are living, breathing things. They thrive when they have the people to support them. And right now, the industry is in the middle of a storm that we just can’t fight anymore. The truth is, you can’t run a restaurant without a team. And when you can’t find the staff – no matter how much heart you have – it’s time to face reality,” Zucker said in a Facebook post.

He added, “It’s a hard thing to close the doors of a place that’s been part of your life for 23 years. But it’s also the right thing. Cru Catering, our sister business, is flourishing – and it’s time for me to focus my energy on that, on my family, and on the future.”

Zucker thanked the people of Charleston for embracing his idea despite hurricanes, floods, and even a global pandemic.

“You’ve been our lifeline, and for that, I’m eternally grateful. This place may be closing, but the memories, the meals, and the stories we’ve shared will always stay with us.”

Cru Café’s last day of service will be Saturday, September 28.

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