Amid lawsuit & bankruptcy, Columbus restaurant permanently closes

Last month, 614Now reported that Easton Town Center was suing Melt Bar & Grilled over months of unpaid rent. Then, a month later, we reported that the restaurant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which would allow Melt to keep operating, but just in a smaller capacity.

Now, this restaurant, known for their mile-high grilled sandwiches, has permanently closed their only remaining Columbus restaurant, which was located at Easton at 4206 Worth Ave. They posted on their door over the weekend a sign that reads, “Melt has left the building. This Melt Bar and Grilled location has been permanently closed. We thank you for years of support.” 

The Easton location has been removed from Melt’s website, as well as the listed restaurants on Easton’s website.

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Melt Bar & Grilled only has $500,000-$1 million in assets, according to documents, but they have more than 100 creditors and estimated liabilities from $1 million-$10 million. Records show Melt owes Huntington Bank $1.8 million in loans, and $1.7 million in rent to landlords.An attorney for the company wrote in one of the court filings, “The increased cost of goods and labor and major shifts and changes in the service industry have hurt (Melt’s) operations tremendously.”

There are now only three of these restaurants left. One in Akron, Lakewood, and Mentor. Matt Fish, the founder, opened the first location in Lakewood back in 2006, and the restaurant rapidly expanded, especially after being featured on the hit show, Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.

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