BUFFALO, N.Y. — Ru's Pierogi restaurant will be closing its doors later this week.
The restaurant's owners made the announcement to customers on their Facebook page.
The Niagara Street restaurant first opened three years ago, and its last day will be October 18.
Ru's Pierogis will still be available in some local restaurants and grocery stores, as it continues to build on its burgeoning manufacturing and wholesale business.
"We truly feel this is the best way to ensure longevity of the Ru’s Pierogi brand. By further expanding into restaurants and stores, chefs and home cooks can now experience for themselves 'The Power of Pierogi' by creating new and exciting ways to enjoy Ru’s," they said on their Facebook page.
Changing Business Model to Meet Growth
"We just had to choose a business route and that route was manufacturing," said Ru's founder Zach Schneider.
Though Ru's is closing the restaurant, Schnieder hesitated to call it a failure.
"We started with nothing so the restaurant really helped us to create a brand," said Schneider.
He explained that the restaurant allowed diners to enjoy their product, which resulted in them seeking to buy Ru's Pierogis when they saw them in stores.
"Since our product was showing up everywhere, there was less of a need to come to the restaurant. People were able to get our product in more places, which was great for us, but it also lead to a point where the restaurant had served its purpose," said Schneider "So we have been very fortuitous with the restaurant. It's been one of the key things that got us to where we are today.
The Future
Schneider told WGRZ-TV every effort was made to assist restaurant employees to find new jobs and that several will continue to work for the company on the manufacturing side of the business.
In addition, the restaurant space, adjacent to Ru's manufacturing facility, will continue to serve the company as a test kitchen for new products, and for buyers from stores interested in taking on the Ru's product line to be able to sample its products.
Schneider says the company will continue to operate its food truck and has not ruled out opening a new restaurant at another location in the future.
"If there’s one thing we’ve learned in this journey so far, it’s to 'never say never,' But in the meantime, please accept our sincerest thanks for your support, enthusiasm, loyalty and ultimate understanding that this is the right decision for us."
Ru's Pierogi was recently featured on Most Buffalo on National Pierogi Day.
