‘We fought really hard’: Boise restaurant finally closes after ‘struggle’

It’s starting to sound like a broken record playing an increasingly sad song.

Just over a week after local dining institution Kopper Kitchen announced that it had closed, another Boise restaurant has pulled the plug because of similar, hiring-related challenges.

Thai Basil has shuttered after a three-year run at 590 E. Boise Ave. The restaurant had been offering takeout food but no seated dining.

Its Meridian location remains open at 3161 E. Fairview Ave. — the busy corner of Eagle Road and Fairview Avenue.

“We fought really hard to keep our doors open and serve quality Thai dishes every day through COVID and takeout-only for the majority of our time here,” Thai Basil posted Tuesday on Facebook. “Unfortunately with our struggle to find adequate staffing, we have decided to focus our efforts on our original main location in Meridian.”

Thanking patrons, Thai Basil expressed optimism about the future.

“We feel confident with the support of our loyal customers, we will continue to thrive in the Treasure Valley.”

Increased food costs, supply-chain challenges and hiring difficulties have intensified pressure on restaurants nationwide.

In a note to customers, Kopper Kitchen said that it “operated with a very narrow profit margin in the first place, so when we had to raise wages, it was the last nail in our coffin.”

This story was originally published June 8, 2022 at 12:29 PM.