Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment has announced it will close The Lempicka, its private event space in downtown Cincinnati, at the end of October. The company will also relocate its corporate headquarters and catering operations, citing a dispute with its landlord over safety protocols as the reason for the decision.
The move affects all future events booked at the 700 Walnut Street location, which also housed the company's main offices. The restaurant group has confirmed it is actively working with clients to find alternative arrangements for their scheduled gatherings.
Key Takeaways
- Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment is closing its private event venue, The Lempicka, by the end of October.
- The company's corporate office and catering operations, located in the same building, will also be relocated.
- CEO Britney Ruby Miller cited a "landlord dispute regarding safety protocols" as the primary reason for the closure.
- The company is assisting clients with booked events to relocate them to other Jeff Ruby restaurants or partner venues.
Closure Follows Landlord Disagreement
The decision to cease operations at The Lempicka stems from what the company describes as a significant disagreement with the property owner. In a public statement, Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment CEO Britney Ruby Miller directly addressed the situation.
"We have made the difficult decision to close Lempicka, our event space, and relocate our corporate offices, which share a building at 700 Walnut Street, due to a landlord dispute regarding safety protocols," Miller stated.
The company did not provide specific details about the nature of the safety concerns or the points of contention with the landlord. However, the statement indicates the issue was serious enough to warrant a complete withdrawal from the property. The building's owner reportedly expressed surprise at the announcement.
Impact on Corporate Operations
Beyond the public-facing event venue, the closure affects the core of Jeff Ruby's business administration. The corporate headquarters and the central hub for Jeff Ruby Catering were both based at the 700 Walnut Street address. The company is now in the process of securing a new location for these essential operations. A timeline for the corporate relocation has not yet been made public.
Venue Capacity and Services
The Lempicka by Jeff Ruby was designed to host a range of private functions. According to company information, the space could accommodate groups as small as 25 people and as large as 250, making it a versatile option for corporate events, weddings, and other social gatherings in downtown Cincinnati.
Managing Booked Events and Clients
With the closure scheduled for the end of October, Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment is focused on managing the transition for clients who had events planned at The Lempicka. The company has initiated a process to rebook these gatherings at alternative locations.
A spokesperson for the restaurant group confirmed that staff are in direct contact with all affected clients. The primary goal is to move events to one of the other Jeff Ruby restaurant locations in the city. For cases where that is not feasible, the company is leveraging partnerships with other local venues.
Client Relocation Efforts
The company has expressed confidence in its ability to accommodate most of the scheduled events within its own portfolio of properties. This strategy allows clients to retain the Jeff Ruby culinary experience they originally planned for.
- Priority Venues: Existing Jeff Ruby restaurants are the first choice for relocation.
- Catering Services: For events moved to partner venues, Jeff Ruby Catering will still provide the food and beverage services.
- Client Communication: The company is handling each booking on a case-by-case basis to find a suitable solution.
According to a company representative, a majority of the guests who had events booked at The Lempicka are expected to be successfully relocated to another Jeff Ruby restaurant, ensuring minimal disruption to their plans.
The Jeff Ruby Brand in Cincinnati
Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment is a prominent and well-established name in Cincinnati's high-end dining scene. Founded by Jeff Ruby, the group is known for its steakhouses, which have become landmarks in the city and expanded to other markets. The closure of a dedicated event space is a notable change in the company's local operational footprint, though its restaurant operations remain strong.
Future Plans for Jeff Ruby's Operations
While the immediate focus is on the closure of The Lempicka and the relocation of the corporate office, the move raises questions about the company's long-term strategy for private events. Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment has not yet announced whether it plans to open a new, dedicated event space in the future.
The relocation of the corporate headquarters is also a significant undertaking. Finding a new base of operations that can support the administrative and catering needs of a large restaurant group is a key priority. The company's statement suggests a search for a new location is underway, but no details have been released.
For now, the group's catering services will continue to operate, adapting to the new logistical framework once a new headquarters is established. The dispute highlights the critical importance of landlord-tenant relationships in the hospitality industry, where issues related to property maintenance and safety can have immediate and substantial consequences on business operations.