Two Rutland restaurants close due to Covid

Staff report

After exhausting all Covid-19 grants and losing staff members, Kelvans restaurant in Rutland city is shutting down after nine years.

The owners Brad and Katherine Barker announced on Facebook Thursday, Sept. 3 that Sept. 25 would be the restaurant’s last day.

“We have lost several staff members due to lack of income and we cannot financially weather anymore of this Covid-19 storm,” the owners said.

The owners also announced that the restaurant, which includes a 14 seat bar, four high top tables, 12 tables inside and seven tables outside, is for sale.

More than 100 people responded on Facebook, saying they were sad to see the restaurant go.

Katherine Barker said the sales price of the business, located on Merchant’s Row, was negotiable.

Unfortunately, Kelvans isn’t the only business in the area to shut down due to Covid-19.

The speakeasy café portion of the Downtown Gentleman’s Salon on Merchant’s Row also closed Aug. 28. It offered a full bar serving authentic Mexican food for dine in or take out.

“Covid regulations have taken its toll, we feel at this time it would be best to focus on launching our food cart,” Lori LePenna, the owner of Downtown Gentleman’s Salon, posted on Facebook.