Bonda Bids Westport Farewell

Bonda chef Jamie Cooper has plated his last Seared Sea Scallops and Coriander Crusted Chicken at 30 Charles Street. The beloved restaurant closed last weekend after 15 years in business.

Owner and chef Cooper decided to shutter the restaurant because of losses in the catering side of the operation. While Bonda was doing well, the margins were so low that he couldn't recoup the loss of catering revenue, especially during the 2008 downturn. While Abbondonza — the specialty food deli on one side of the building — operated throughout the week, Bonda was only open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights.

But lest anyone get too upset, Bonda will reopen this summer in Fairfield.

"I am literally nearing the final negotiations on the lease for the new Bonda location and hope to go public with the news by the end of next week," Cooper said Thursday. "Assuming all goes to plan, I anticipate a late June early July opening."

John and Marylyn Logan were the original owners of the restaurant, which opened in 1994. Cooper acquired it from Marylyn Logan Catering in 2001.

Cooper e-mailed a letter to his regular customers last week, informing them of Bonda's imminent departure.

"It is both with sadness and excitement that I am writing you this letter," he wrote in his informal announcement. "The typical sadness that accompanies the end of something great and the excitement that accompanies something new."

Bonda went out in style, with the final weekend being one of Cooper's busiest ever, as the restaurant was flooded with surprised and disappointed regulars.

The now vacant building is owned by a Westport family and is up for either lease or sale. "We've got so much interest already in 30 Charles," said Skip Lane of Cushman & Wakefield, who is brokering the property. "I have to pick a last day for final offers, then we'll counter-offer and go into contract. So far there have been two investors and a handful of restaurants who've made offers. I have a few more coming in."

Lane predicts that 30 Charles will likely remain in use as an eatery.

"It's small and intact as a restaurant, so it doesn't require upfront money," Lane said. "I've got one offer from a wine bar. Everyone's got a concept."

Lane expects to have a new tenant in contract by next week.