Diners flock to 18 Seaboard before July closure
After 13 years in business, 18 Seaboard will close its doors early next month, owner and chef Jason Smith said Friday.
The restaurant's last service will be July 2.
"We are in our 14th year. We are having one of our busiest years in a long time," Smith said.
On Friday night, diners were taking advantage of the steaks and seafood on the menu.
“We are excited to give our regulars and folks who have not given us a try and opportunity to come visit us,” Smith said.
The closure comes after William Peace University sold part of the Seaboard Station to Washington, D.C., developer PN Hoffman late last year. Hoffman has plans for a $250 million overhaul to the retail center that will include 650 apartments, a 150-room hotel and 90,000 square feet of new retail space on the seven-acre site.
"The timing was good, and the new owners, who have been great to work with, made us an offer to end our lease early, and it just seemed right for my wife and I," Smith said.
Naomi Vining brought her friends to the restaurant Friday.
“I am sad,” she said. “They have never been here. This is my last time.”
Smith also owns Cantina 18, which has locations in Raleigh's Cameron Village and Morrisville, and Harvest 18 in Durham. He also hasn't ruled out another venture in the future.
People who don’t get a chance to eat at 18 Seaboard can find some of the food at Harvest 18.
“You’ll see a lot of the dishes from 18 Seaboard transition onto that menu if they haven’t already,” Smith said.
