Ramen Bar latest downtown business to close
Published 8:00 am Friday, June 9, 2023
Another Fountain Square business is shutting its doors.
Ramen Bar at 927 College St. announced an immediate closure Tuesday evening, with owner Rob Sparkman sharing the news in a Facebook post.
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Sparkman wrote that it was no longer economically sustainable to operate the downtown location due to “negative consequences of the rising food cost, labor and staffing.”
The Daily News reached out to Sparkman for further information. Sparkman declined to comment.
Ramen Bar, whose motto is “come for a drink, stay for a meal,” opened last July. Besides offering a variety of ramen flavors, the bar also hosted unique community events like speed dating and drag shows.
“I wish to thank every member – past and present – of our incredible team, for helping make Ramen Bar a truly special place,” Sparkman wrote. “I would not have come so far or achieved my dream so much without you.”
Bowling Green residents will still have noodle options available in Ramen Bar’s stead. Simply Ramen, located on Campbell Lane and also owned by Sparkman, will continue to operate.
“Despite today’s announcement and closing of this chapter, we are extremely proud of all that we have achieved,” Sparkman wrote, “and remain hopeful for a future where Simply Ramen will continue to thrive at 801 Campbell Lane, which is of course very important to us and our community.”
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Ramen Bar isn’t the first business to leave the heart of downtown this year.
Little Fox Bakery, located across the street, will soon be vacating its spot at 401 Park Row and scaling back operations.
Mother and daughter co-owners Diane and Alison Taylor told the Daily News in April that rising rent, inflation and a desire to pursue new things led them to not sign a new lease.
Diane said she still intends to bake out of her home kitchen and bring Little Fox items to city events, like Pride, Concerts in the Park or Harvest Festival.
The bakery’s final day at the downtown location is June 16.