Did I miss this in the local media? I had heard from my father-in-law a couple weeks ago after his weekly Friday trip to Juniper Cafe that they were going to close. We went there on Wednesday before we headed out of town, and confirmed with the long-time staff there: As of May 1st, Juniper Cafe will be no more.
What’s happening to them? From what I was told, the owner of the place was looking to move on and just wanted to sell the place. The buyer wasn’t interested in keeping the place running, but to bulldoze it into a parking lot.
The buyer? The Real Estate office next door. So they’re looking to increase the size of their parking lot (which already seems like it’s fairly good size, but whatever).
Everybody knows my feelings about the Bend real estate market, as well as how all our homestyle dining establishments are shutting down. So after Pilot Butte closed down for dinner and Jake’s Diner is relocating to the worst location for a restaurant in Bend, now Juniper Cafe will be closing.
My brother and father-in-law have gone there weekly for years. I’ve gone there quite a bit, and first started going there with my family when I was little. It’s looked the same since I was a kid, and the folks there (despite going through a couple owners) have always been nice. I will miss it, that’s for sure (just like I still miss the Snow Bunny on the Westside — I went there on their last day — as they had the best damn sausage gravy on the planet).
So where to go now? I haven’t been to Sargent’s for years (but they’re on the other side of the real estate office, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that gets bought up and bulldozed as well). Palmer Cafe is good, but it’s small and crowded (though the food’s really good).
Juniper Cafe, you will be missed.