Christopher’s Restaurant owners, Dave and Erika Krites, held an all- staff meeting on Thursday, May 26th, to share the unfortunate news with employees that the restaurant location would be closing effective June 15th, 2022. This announcement comes months after celebrating their 31-year anniversary at 2318 East Dorothy Lane and just five weeks before their current lease is set to expire.
“We find ourselves at a crossroads in our journey together with all of you,” Dave said. “After months of discussion with our landlord and one final attempt last week, we have been unable to reach mutually agreeable leasing terms with our landlord to stay in our current location.”
The Krites shared plans to continue to grow the Christopher’s catering business and its new event center, The Gem by Christopher’s, located in Riverside at 3425 Valley Street. “While we figure out what is next for the restaurant, we will continue to serve the community amazing food through our catering events and at The Gem, with some exciting new dinner and brunch offerings. And we hope to keep as many of our current employees as we can to help us do that.”
But they said the hunt for a new location to reopen the Christopher’s Restaurant continues.
“We were excited because we thought we had found the perfect place to relocate the restaurant – bigger, nicer, newer, outdoor patio, everything we wanted,” Erika said. “But we got nervous about what is happening in the economy.”
The couple went on to explain that significant premiums in construction and renovation costs, extended lead times on equipment from the global supply chain challenges, rising inflation and food costs, and local labor shortages made justifying the investment needed for immediate relocation “nearly impossible.” “But we’re not giving up!” they said.
Christophers in Kettering is where the art is displayed
Dave took to the Christopher’s Facebook business page to break the news to its customers. “Erika and I never dreamed how many great relationships we would begin and how many amazing new people would find and fill our little restaurant,” thanking his staff for their commitment through a challenging time, including the pandemic, and thanking their many loyal customers. “We appreciate each of you for helping us grow into what we are today, and we will look forward to serving you amazing food and amazing experiences again soon.”
“We hope to see you all one last time (or maybe a couple!) before we close this chapter at East Dorothy Lane.”
Christopher’s will honor all existing catering and event bookings and will continue to take new customers.
Any outstanding gift card balances for the restaurant can be redeemed for catering or event rental, and catering ordering minimums will be reduced to help accommodate this. They will begin several new buffet-style events open to the public at The Gem, including Prime Rib Night, Sunday Brunch, and a “Chef’s Feature” Buffet in coming weeks. Follow Christopher’s on Facebook or visit their website (www.christophers.biz) for more information.
Christopher’s Restaurant is a local, family-owned restaurant and caterer, serving the Dayton community amazing food and amazing experiences for the past 30+ years. Proudly offering new American fare and upscale, modern versions of your favorite homecooked, diner classics with plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Weekend service includes our famous slow-roasted prime rib, some of the best prime rib in Dayton!
In 1991 Chip Pritchard and his wife Sherri opened Christopher’s Restaurant in a strip mall at the corner of Woodman and Dorothy Lane. Over the years they’ve built a reputation for great food, friendly service, and a menu that accommodates many palates, one of the first in the area that catered to vegetarians. With an emphasis on local and fresh ingredients,
As the new owner Krites was quick to share that he bought Christopher’s because he “loved the atmosphere, food, and staff.” He and his wife, who first got together in the eighth grade in their hometown of Lima, will work the business together. Erika loves working with the customers and Dave will focus initially on upgrading systems and equipment. His career in restaurant equipment manufacturing and parts distribution will help bring some upgrades to the kitchen equipment, making it easier to keep up with the demands of the busy restaurant and growing catering business. Dave and Erika were also quick to explain, they do not plan on making changes to the restaurant, the menu or the personnel, as they say they “would not have bought it if we didn’t love it as it is.”
2318 E. Dorothy Lane