Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: News

Salamander Grill was open for less than two years. The restaurant closed abruptly early in January, with a sign citing decreased business because of Kirksville's ban on smoking in city restaurants and bars.

Kirksville's only Cajun restaurant has shut its doors after fewer than two years of operation.

The Salamander Grill, located at 2523 Franklin Street, closed in early January, although the owners' reasons for doing so remain unclear. The Grill originally opened June 12, 2006.

Beth Meline, city business licensing office clerk, said she has not received any official notification from the owners, Jon and Rhonda Chevalier, indicating that they have closed the restaurant.

"As far as our records are concerned, [it's] still open," she said.

Meline said the licensing office currently is in the process of reviewing applications for the renewal of business licenses. The Chevaliers have not submitted any license renewal forms, either, she added.

Businesses have until Feb. 29 to send in their paperwork, Meline said.

Is the Smoking Ban to Blame?

Senior Jeff Gaffney worked at the Grill as a server from May 2007 until it closed. He said the Chevaliers informed their employees they would be shutting down the restaurant about a week and a half prior to the last day of business.

"I was upset," he said. "I really enjoyed working there. Mr. and Mrs. Chevalier are good people. It's a shame the restaurant had to close down."

Gaffney said the Chevaliers claimed they suffered significant losses because of the smoking ban. Because he only worked at the Grill for about seven months, he was unable to determine how much the ban affected business, Gaffney said.

A sign was left just inside the restaurant's front door that reads, "Closed: Kirksville's smoking ban at work."

Gaffney declined to say why the Chevaliers closed the Grill.

The Department of Revenue

Gets Involved

The Missouri Department of Revenue revoked the Grill's sales tax license in October, according to the Oct. 25, 2007 issue of the Index. The restaurant closed briefly while the owners reapplied for a license. The license was revoked again on Dec. 31, according to the DOR's Web site.

Continued...

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