Popular downtown Boise restaurant will close by end of July, slashes wine prices 50%
Capitol Cellars, a popular downtown Boise restaurant, will close at the end of July.
The restaurant has been “very successful” and has loyal customers, said co-owner Skip Smyser, a former lobbyist and Republican state senator. It’s known for its large selection of wines and menu items named after Idaho political figures.
But after “a lot of loss in our family and some very traumatic events, we really lost the will to continue the business,” Smyser told the Idaho Statesman in a phone interview. That loss included the death of Smyser’s son in January.
“It’s been a very difficult time for all of us,” he said. In addition, his daughter, Logan Smyser Griffin, who manages the restaurant, no longer wants to run the business, he said.
Owners hope to find a buyer. The restaurant and its real estate in the Belgravia Building are for sale for $1.25 million, Smyser said. Brent Bungard of Arthur Berry and Company is handling the listing, he said.
“We’re closing at the end of July, regardless if it sells or not,” Smyser said. In the meantime, there’s a 50% off sale on all of the restaurant’s wine.
Smyser, who owns the business with his wife, Melinda, who’s also a former Republican state senator, said they decided to close a couple of months ago. They wanted to give their employees time to find new jobs and make sure patrons were able to use gift cards, he said. The couple employs about 25 workers.
The Smysers opened Capitol Cellars in 2015. Because of their political careers, they ate out at restaurants about 200 times a year, he said. They loved fine dining and wanted the restaurant to focus on wine.
They also have food named for Idaho politicos, like Batt’s onion rings in honor of Republican Gov. Phil Batt, who died in March, and the Steunenberg salmon in honor of Democratic Gov. Frank Steunenberg, who was assassinated in 1905.
In 2015, the Statesman recognized it as one of the best new restaurants of the year.
Since the closure was announced on Facebook on Tuesday, Smyser said he’s received lots of texts and emails from customers sharing their memories of the restaurant.
“The outpouring of support has been truly gratifying,” Smyser said. “When you’re able to celebrate anniversaries, and bridal showers, and wedding receptions, and all of those types of things, you really become part of people’s lives.”
This story was originally published June 29, 2023 at 11:34 AM.
