Restaurant In Ridgewood Will Close After 37 Years: Here's What's Next

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A restaurant that opened in Ridgewood in 1989 made a surprise announcement on Wednesday that it will close for good in three weeks.

Kevin Portscher, the owner of Village Green, posed on the eatery's website, "After many wonderful years, it is with heavy hearts that we announce that our restaurant will be closing its doors."

The restaurant specialized in high-end cuisine "for those with a passion for fine food." Dishes range from miso garlic rubbed grouper to short rib and rigatoni ragu.

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Portscher's message said a new landlord bought the building, and efforts to work out a new lease agreement failed.

Potscher said by phone on Thursday that he's considering his next steps after taking the helm of the restaurant 15 years ago.

"I've had a couple of calls from people with prospective new jobs," he said. "I'm going to take a little time to myself, and summer's coming...after being here six or seven days a week, I'm exploring my options."

He declined to elaborate further on the lease situation.

Closing Soon

In his message, he wrote, "Unfortunately, everything happened very quickly, and we were not left with much time to prepare or properly say goodbye. Thank you for supporting us through the years, celebrating your special moments with us, and allowing us to serve this community we love so much."

The last day of service will be June 6.

"If you would like to stop by and say goodbye," he wrote, "we would truly love to see you."

Village Green is located at 36 Prospect St. in Ridgewood.

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