Balzac wine bar and restaurant to close after 18 years on Milwaukee's Brady Street

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Brady Street's wine bar and restaurant, Balzac, has announced plans to close after 18 years in the community.

The final date of service will be Wednesday, Nov. 22.

“What can I say, closing a restaurant is never easy…but this one is extremely difficult,” said Leslie Montemurro, Balzac co-owner. “The truth is, and I know you’ve heard it before, but since the pandemic, everything’s changed; the perpetuating obstacles of labor shortages, increasing costs, slower than expected sales numbers, and supply chain issues are just too much of a hinderance on business. It’s time to pause and re-evaluate.”

Friends and family of the restaurant are invited to visit one last time.

“We invite our friends to join us now through Wednesday, Nov. 22 to sit back, relax and raise a glass with us. We know that so many people have cherished Balzac, and we sincerely appreciate all the people that have made Balzac such a treasure over the years.”