One of Bay Area’s fast-casual dining stalwarts is closing after a successful run that lasted 33 years. Pleasanton-based Specialty’s Café & Bakery, the restaurant chain known for its freshly made bread, line of sandwiches and cookies announced that it will be closing its operations effective Tuesday, May 19th, 2020. It is one of many businesses that succumbed to the economic effects of COVID-19, according to a statement from the company.
“Specialty’s Café & Bakery is closing after 33 years of business. Current market conditions attributed to COVID-19 and shelter-in-place policies have decimated company revenues. Our last day of operations will be Tuesday, May 19th, 2020.
Our customer service team will be reaching out to cancel and refund any orders placed for Wednesday, May 20th and beyond. We sincerely thank you for your business and support over the years.”
The privately-held company had over 55 restaurants across California, Washington and Illinois. On the company’s archived web site, it stated in 2017 that it had employed over 1,400 workers. In 2014, it was reported that the company generated over $100 million in sales.
According to the company’s Twitter page, it had tried in a number of ways to keep the operation going. Earlier this month, the company stated that it had provided over 2,500 meals to the VA Hospitals and other frontline efforts across the communities where its restaurants were located. It featured images of workers delivering food and provided gratitude to companies that participated in its efforts.
