Jax Café closes doors, Kopperman’s and Tavern of Fine Arts also say farewell

Jax Café has closed doors for good. The Benton Park restaurant served its last meal Sunday, July 10. Co-owner Gina Seltzer said that while brunch business was brisk, the dinner crowd was too thin to keep the restaurant going.

“We were just hoping that with the addition of dinner a year and a half ago that business would pick up,” Seltzer said. “(Customers) became regular brunch patrons but never really sustained the dinner part of it, which is where we shine, so it’s unfortunate.”

Seltzer, who co-owned Jax Café with her husband David Seltzer along with chef Brian Hale, opened the restaurant in 2013. Sauce reviewed it in April 2014.

Another local favorite has closed after more than three decades. Kopperman’s Deli in the Central West End announced its closure on Friday, July 8. “After months of trying different combinations of hours and staffing, we realize that we cannot sustain operations at Kopperman’s,” the owners wrote in a Facebook post. “We have decided to close the business effective immediately. We appreciate everyone’s patronage over the nearly 34 years we’ve been open and will miss our many regular customers.” A recorded phone message at the New York-style deli confirmed the post.

Tavern of Fine Arts also took its final bow at the end of June. After five years, co-owner Mathew Davis said the DeBaliviere Place wine bar and performance space could not turn a profit. “The business operated and managed to support itself, so we were able to pay the bills, employees and artists,” he said. “(But) we could never get off that plateau of breaking even.” Tavern of Fine Arts closed Saturday, June 25.