ITHACA, N.Y. — People will soon have two less eatery options on the Ithaca Commons soon.
Subway, which reopened in 2015 after a brief closure, and Le Commons Bistro, which opened its doors in July, will both likely be closed by the end of January, though it’s unclear if the closures are permanent.
Gary Ferguson, executive director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, confirmed that Subway did not reopen its doors in January and that the owner of Le Commons Bistro has listed the restaurant as a turnkey purchase in hopes of finding a subleaser.
“We have known Le Commons Bistro was, I think, struggling to make ends meet,” Ferguson said, adding that conversations about how the owners would proceed have been happening since before the holidays. “My understanding was that this was probably going to close at some point in January.”
According to an online advertisement, all the equipment and fixtures in the restaurant are being sold for $99,000. The space would be subleased for $3,000 a month, pending approval from Ithaca Renting Company.
This means a subleaser of 113 E. State St. might be able to reopen Le Commons Bistro or start a new restaurant at the location.
As for the Subway, located at 220 E. State St., Ferguson said the lease at the location is owned by the Subway corporation. So it will be up to the corporation to determine what to do with the space.
In 2015, the Subway on the Commons also closed in January and reopened in the summer when the corporation found a new operator.
Related: Subway expected to reopen on Ithaca Commons by summer’s end
“It is our hope, obviously, that they could continue (operating),” Ferguson said about both business.