Circus cafe set to close today
Business plans a musical send-off
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.» Circus Café is set to close its doors on Friday, after 14 years in business on Broadway in Saratoga Springs.
The circus-themed restaurant and bar will close after service on Friday, during which it will offer complimentary cotton candy, free appetizers at the bar, 50 percent off signature martinis, and a musical send-off beginning at 9 p.m. Friday with the George Boone Blues Band to celebrate its 14-year run and to express gratitude to its customers. Circus Café will close at midnight.
Co-owners Christel and Colin MacLean said in a prepared statement: “Circus Café was something that we created together from an idea we had in 2003 that we wanted a colorful, fun, family friendly and completely inclusive restaurant in Saratoga Springs. The restaurant has enjoyed a very long and successful run.”
The couple said that a series of recent events have led to the need to sell the restaurant, in-
cluding the struggles encountered by Circus Cafe’s recently sold sister restaurant, The Crown Grill, and a very challenging labor climate this past summer.
“The restaurant has still enjoyed a loyal and steady business but it has been an uphill battle to overcome the closing of The Crown Grill and other industry challenges,” the statement said.
Circus Cafe has been on the market for several months and is most recently listed for $250,000.
The owners shared that they are currently in conversation with a few potential purchasers.
“It was our intent and desire to remain open into the fall while finding a buyer; however, our insurance policies were up for renewal on the 30th of September which forced our hand to close this weekend,” the statement said.
The MacLeans — who first entered the restaurant business in 1993 when they took over Saratoga Springs staple Hattie’s — thanked their partners, investors, employees, customers, vendors and the community in the statement about Circus Cafe’s closing.
On a personal note, the owners added, “We opened Circus Café on our daughter Lucy’s first birthday and truly love what it became — home of many special moments to an eclectic, loyal clientele who instantly had a ‘home base’ in Saratoga. To say that the restaurant became our home away from home is an understatement.” More information about Circus Café is available online at www.circuscafe. com or www.facebook. com/CircusCafe.