COVID-19 Shutters

Downtown Austin ramen shop permanently closes after 7 years due to COVID-19 crisis

Daruma Ramen is the latest Austin restaurant to close due to the pandemic.

Daruma Ramen has dished out its last bowl of ramen. On Wednesday, June 17, Daruma's owners announced they are permanently closing the downtown restaurant due to the COVID-19 crisis.

"We want to thank the community for the undying support of our chicken broth ramen throughout the last 7 years," said co-owner Kayo Asazu in an emailed announcement to CultureMap. "Sadly, it has come time for us to move on to greener pastures. Due to COVID-19, Daruma Ramen will not be opening back up. This was a very tough decision to make, but we know it's the right one."

Daruma Ramen operated out of a cozy storefront on East Sixth Street before the coronavirus pandemic forced it to temporarily close. Operations then moved to sister restaurant Komé Sushi Kitchen on Airport Boulevard, which Asazu and her husband, Takehiro Asazu, also own. Asazu says Komé will continue to offer the ramen as part of its menu.

What set Daruma apart from the rest of the ramen pack was its use of chicken broth instead of traditional pork. Add to that the serene, intimate setting of its restaurant amid the chaos of Sixth Street, and stopping by for a quick slurp made for a truly unique Austin experience.

Daruma joins a growing list of staple Austin restaurants forced to shutter over the past few months, including Magnolia Cafe in Tarrytown, Threadgill's, Blue Dahlia Cafe in East Austin, and more. There have, however, been some bright spots, such as Enchiladas y Mas, which closed only to be revived by the original owner's nieces a few weeks later.

Like Enchiladas y Mas and other Austin restaurants forced to shutter in these unprecedented economic times, Asazu remains hopeful that Daruma might one day return.

"We hope to relocate Daruma Ramen sometime in the future when it is safe and healthy to do so," Asazu continued. "Until then, Kome Sushi Kitchen will carry on the legacy of our chicken broth ramen, and continue serving it at their contactless curbside take out. Thank you Austin. We'll see ya later."

closings

Grocery news haul

Grocery service Farmhouse Delivery returns to Austin with fun surprise

Courtesy photo

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After suddenly halting its operations in May, grocery service Farmhouse Delivery is on its way back, with an extra surprise for Austin: a new storefront.

Known for offering locally prepared foods and produce from small Central Texas farms, the subscription-based service emailed its loyal customers on Monday, November 18, to share the relaunch news and outline its plans for the future.

“We’ve missed you and are beyond grateful for your patience as we’ve been hard at work planning the next chapter of Farmhouse Delivery,” the newsletter reads. “Soon, you’ll once again have fresh, local food delivered straight to your doorstep[.]”

Farmhouse Delivery is aiming for a December date to resume deliveries, they say. They've used the intervening six months to not only revamp their existing business model, but to expand their offerings.

The biggest surprise in the newsletter was a revelation of plans for a new storefront in Austin, blending a cozy farmer’s market vibe with what they call “the best parts of your favorite grocer — where you can discover fresh foods, refill on essentials, connect with other members on sustainable living, and, of course, [shop] our best local products — all in innovative, reusable packaging.”

The email did not divulge details for the location or timing of the storefront project.

The company also plans to introduce a new membership model with exclusive benefits such as sneak peeks of new products and promotions.

Underscoring its commitment to sustainability, Farmhouse also announced that it’s working toward a completely plastic-free delivery:

“Expect to see your favorite items in sustainable packaging, with rewards for returning and reusing Farmhouse materials. Together, let’s reduce waste and make sustainable choices the coolest thing to do.”

The newsletter invited customers to complete a survey to help shape the ongoing Farmhouse experience. There, customers can indicate their desired delivery day (or days) and the factors that influence that preference (meal planning, work schedule, etc.), as well as specific products they would like to see in future deliveries.

Survey participants can also designate their preferred price point for memberships and the most appealing benefits from a long list, including free deliveries, additional delivery days, free products, members-only cooking classes, exclusive content, and more.

Neither the newsletter nor the Farmhouse website announced a specific date for relaunching, but returning and new customers can keep an eye on the website and social media for further details.

delivery farmhouse grocery supermarkets