Uptown Shutters: The Sammich Closes, The Grocery Will Board Up Next Week

Reigning king of Louisiana seafood and gourmet po' boy slinger Michael Brewer has shuttered his Maple Street restaurant The Sammich. The restaurant posted this message to its Twitter followers on Thursday night:

FYI the Sammich is closed. Thank you to all that supported us for the last 3 years. It's been stressful, it's... http://t.co/g51WpJfHC2

— the sammich (@nolasammiches) September 18, 2015

Brewer tells Todd Price that "it was bad this summer," with the restaurant losing $45,000 and no investors to turn to for support. The Sammich earned a following and impressed many a critic while operating as a pop-up in Chickie Wah Wah, before moving into permanent digs on Maple Street in early 2014.  The Sammich may return again sometime in the future, until then Brewer is figuring out his next move.

Meanwhile, Ian McNulty reports that panini, po' boy, and Mardi Gras parade route favorite The Grocery will shutter on September 26 after a major rent hike: "Owner and tastemaker Marcy McCall said the longtime eatery's building is being redeveloped and she cannot afford the new lease."  The Grocery is searching for potential locations in the Bywater, on Oak Street and Tulane Avenue.