4R Restaurant Group founder & CEO John Rivers announced on Monday morning that the company’s Southern comfort food concept The Coop will be closing. Details were posted on Rivers’ personal Instagram account as well as on the company page.
“It is with a grateful heart for the opportunity to have served so many wonderful families at the Coop these last 9 & 1/2 years that we share that our time at our Winter Park home is coming to an end on Sunday, July 16.”
The post goes on to explain that current market rates are “well beyond what our little business can justify in renewing the lease.” Rivers could not be reached for comment.
The restaurant, at 610 W. Morse Blvd., opened in 2014 offering some of Rivers’ favorite recipes, ranging from chicken and biscuits to Low Country shrimp and grits. The menu was inspired by his family’s Southern comfort food roots that were enhanced with flavors from the Carolinas and Louisiana.
4 Rivers Smokehouse is among Central Florida’s most popular restaurants, and Rivers is behind several local philanthropic efforts, including Winter Park’s annual Cows ‘n Cabs benefit, which last year celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Winter Park’s ever-changing restaurant landscape will be losing another icon as Linda’s Winter Park Diner will also be closing at the end of the month when owner, Linda D’Auria, retires. Meanwhile, downtown Orlando pizza phenom SoDough Square recently celebrated a Winter Park expansion with a soft opening at its new 223 W. Fairbanks Ave. location.