Popular Santa Barbara seafood spot Arch Rock Fish announced today on Facebook that it’s closing down. The restaurant, named after the famous Arch Rock at Anacapa Island, opened in 2010 to positive reviews and at the time was the most recent venture of HJL Restaurant Advisors Group. The 608 Anacapa Street location replaced the struggling Melting Pot.
Last year, the well-known Bennet family, who owns and runs Brophy Bros., Benchmark Eatery, Farmer Boy, On the Alley, and The Cliff Room, took over the restaurant in part, they told Restaurant Guy John Dickson, to provide a stable tenant for the Hutton-Parker Foundation, which is the landlord of the property.
“Arch Rock is saying good-bye,” today’s Facebook post reads. “The current owners entered this venture 16 months ago in an effort to assist the landlord, save jobs, and keep Arch Rock from slipping into the abyss. Over this period we retained most of the staff, improved service, remodeled, restructured management, and stayed committed to the loyal customer base. Unfortunately Arch Rock Fish wasn’t able to be saved.”
“We’re grateful to have other operations in town and will make every effort to move staff to these locations in order to save jobs. We will continue to help where we can and hope to see you at our other locations.”