Southdowns’ Bushwood BBQ and Romacelli Bistro shuttered

Two restaurants in the Southdowns Village Shopping Center on Perkins Road shut their doors for good last week. But landlord Donnie Jarreau says there is no connection between the closures of Bushwood BBQ and Romacelli Bistro. The former, which opened in 2011, was subletting its 3,000-square-foot space from the previous tenant, Café Mediterranean. Jarreau says that space, which is along the main strip of the shopping center, is a challenging one for a restaurant because of its configuration. “The way the space is designed is long and narrow, and it’s difficult for a restaurant,” he says. “We are hoping to replace them with some sort of retail.” As for Romacelli, Jarreau says its location in a 3,300-square-foot outparcel, previously occupied by the popular Enoteca Marcello’s Wine Bar & Café, was not a factor in the restaurant’s decision to close. “We’ve already had five calls from good restaurants interested in the space,” he says. “We are going to be selective there.” Romacelli’s, which has a flagship restaurant in River Ranch near Lafayette, could not be reached for comment, but a sign on the restaurant’s door says the restaurant will reopen soon in a new location. Jarreau says rates for the Southdowns Village Shopping Center, which he has owned since 2005 and refurbished over the years, are competitive but not overpriced. Industry sources say average rents for second-generation commercial space in that area are between $12 and $16 per square foot. —Stephanie Riegel