Rock Bottom Announces Closing of Harvard Square Location

Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc. has announced the closing of its Cambridge restaurant, located in Harvard Square, to take place June 15, 2003, according to company President and CEO, Ned Lidvall. “It was a tough decision but it was in the best overall interest of the company to close this location,” Lidvall said. “Although the business was well operated, we could not overcome certain economic factors inherent in the market.” Lidvall said that all managers are being relocated to other Rock Bottom sites and as many staff members as possible will be employed at Rock Bottom’s two Massachusetts locations on Stuart Street in Boston, and in Braintree. “We are still very committed to the Boston region. Both our Stuart Street and Braintree locations continue to improve after their conversions from Brew Moon to the Rock Bottom concept a little over a year ago.” Lidvall said. The company acquired the Brew Moon concept in 2001, converting the 3 Brew Moons in the Boston market to Rock Bottom Restaurant and Breweries over the last 18 months. Cambridge has been a Rock Bottom since February 2002. Based in Louisville, CO, Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc. owns and operates 87 restaurants throughout the United States – 52 Old Chicago restaurants and 35 brewery restaurants operating under the names “Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery,” “ChopHouse & Brewery” and “Walnut Brewery.” The company also owns and operates SingSing, a dueling piano bar concept with three locations and recently entered into a partnership with Rockies Brewing Company, Colorado’s first microbrewery. In 2002, it began franchising its Old Chicago concept and now has 6 open franchises with 58 in the development pipeline.