Blue Canyon Closes

Provided By The Rockwall News

The Blue Canyon Kitchen, Wine Bar and Sports Bar unexpectedly closed down for business at The Harbor in Rockwall Feb. 11 after operating at the lakeside dining and entertainment district for the past three years.

According to the management firm which now manages The Harbor, since the property was foreclosed upon last October, Blue Canyon was locked out for non-payment of rent.

Employees were notified Friday about the closing by Area Manager Paul Baerenstecher, but neither he nor other spokespeople for Blue Canyon were available today for comment.

The restaurant’s other three locations near Cleveland OH and in Missoula and Kalispell Montana remain open.

Baerenstecher had told TheRockwallNews.com last December that business was not what Blue Canyon was hoping it would be. To attract more customers, Blue Canyon opened a sports bar last Summer which he said was very busy until the weather turned cold in December. They also made numerous menu changes and lowered prices on most meals.

Employee Kristen Harte, a 2010 Rockwall High graduate who’s worked there for nearly three years, said she is extremely disappointed about the closing.

“It’s really upsetting. I’m extremely disappointed.”

“It was the best place I’ve ever worked and it’s like losing a family to me. Blue Canyon will be very missed and I’m sad it had to end this way.”

Former executive manager Aimee Thibodeaux agrees that Blue Canyon was like a big family and she will really miss the quality of food.

“I opened the restaurant in January, 2008, and went from server, to lead trainer to assistant and then executive manager,” she said.

“I was with Blue Canyon for about 19 months. I resigned in July, 2009, to focus on my family. “BC” was like a big family; I met and worked with some of the greatest people.”

The thing I will miss the most is that there is nowhere else in Rockwall that serves the quality of food that Chef Scott created in such a relaxed, casual, family-friendly atmosphere.”

“I am saddened that it is closed, but not surprised. This economy hit everyone, but restaurants were hit harder than most businesses. Couple that with the rents at The Harbor and it was a recipe for disaster.”