An acclaimed Pasadena restaurant led by chef Douglas Rankin will close its doors this month, but will eventually reopen in Colorado, according to the Denver Post. Bar Chelou is shuttering after receiving a big blow to business because of the Eaton Fire in nearby Altadena.
Eater reports that Bar Chelou experienced a 50% decrease in traffic following the fires in the LA area, as the community around it grappled with thousands of structures and dozens of lives lost. That prompted Rankin to shut down the business, and he will eventually relocate it to the Denver area.
The business announced its closure on Instagram this week, explaining, “After careful consideration, we have decided not to extend our lease, which is set to expire at the end of the month. The timing presented us with an opportunity to reconsider our path forward following the Eaton fire… Stay tuned to our Insta for more exciting updates on Bar Chelou’s new permanent home later this year.”
Founded in January 2023, Bar Chelou quickly became one of Pasadena’s most celebrated restaurants, blending French cuisine with Spanish and Asian influences. It has earned spots on the Los Angeles Times 101 Best Restaurants lists in both 2023 and 2024, Eater’s 12 Best New Restaurants in America, and The New York Times’ Best Restaurants in Los Angeles list in 2023.
Public Relations Director Stephanie Senter-Rankin told What Now Denver they “are focussing on wrapping up in Pasadena” and will have more details about the move to the Centennial State in the future.
