Aviary closes south-side patisserie

Last edited 2:57 p.m., Sept. 27, 2017

Private equity firm Westward Alliance LLC last week closed the south-side Aviary Cafe and Creperie LLC’s patisserie.

Denis Schmidt, chief operating officer of Westward Alliance’s hospitality division, said the French-style bakery at the Farmers Park cafe shut down Sept. 19. The patisserie launched alongside Aviary Cafe’s second store opening at 2144 E. Republic Road in February 2014. Both restaurants remain open under normal operating hours.

“We are concentrating on the Aviary brand and not the patisserie,” he said, noting no employees were laid off with the bakery’s closure. “There’s multiple plans on the table that we haven’t committed to at this time.”

Ideas include expanding the south-side eatery’s dining or kitchen spaces or adding a private dining area. According to a post on the Aviary Facebook page this afternoon, the patisserie "closed for redevelopment of the space, so keep an eye out for upcoming news."

Aviary also continues to seek distribution and franchise options, but Schmidt said no deals have been signed.

“We are looking into getting into many different supply chains to further the Aviary brand,” he said.

Westward Alliance purchased full control of Aviary from founders Mark and Deb Burgess in mid-2015.

The Burgesses opened their first restaurant downtown in April 2011. Westward Alliance in July 2015 launched Aviary Event Center and Bakery at 5021 S. National Ave.