Punk Wok Reverses Decision to Close

Nashville restaurants have had a tough couple of weeks. Several announced plans to close, including Deacon’s New South, 51 North Taproom, Judge Bean's BBQ in Brentwood, the General Jackson Showboat dinner cruise and Punk Wok in Sylvan Park. 

In one case, however, there is a reprieve. Clay Greenberg, the chef-owner of Punk Wok, says that after he publicly announced the planned closure (for Sunday, Oct. 25), CBREManagement, his landlord at Sylvan Supply, reached out and offered to work with the Asian small-plates spot to help it stay open.

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Punk Wok has been in business for five years, with some tweaks to the menu and mission, including adding dim sum and discontinuing live music. In a Facebook post, Greenberg says business has been slow, with some lunch service bringing in just $130, and dinner $400. To stay open, even with unspecified help from his landlord, business volume needs to pick up. Punk Wok will be closed for a few days (Monday through Wednesday next week) to recharge before reopening.

The reasons for the closures vary, but like Greenberg, several restaurant owners say they have seen fewer diners in seats. That anecdotal local trend mimics what researchers are seeing nationally. A KPMG survey this summer found that 67 percent of consumers were eating at home more often than dining out, and of those, 76 percent cite budget constraints as the primary reason.

While Deacon’s closure is immediate (Saturday, Oct. 24), 51 North Taproom plans to stay open until Dec. 13, and Judge Beans BBQ scheduled its last day for Nov. 14 — so there is time for diners to get in one last meal. In his social media post, Greenberg says there’s no guarantee Punk Wok can stay open long-term if dining volume doesn't increase. While some other restaurant owners have cited property tax increases as a source of pressure, Greenberg did not mention them as a concern.