Unique CT restaurant to close so owners can expand food business in other ways
An award-winning restaurant will close its doors after two years to concentrate on expanding other parts of their food business, the owners announced this week.
Chef Mark Shadle and Ami Beach, a married couple and longtime restauranteurs at G-Monkey, have “decided to simplify and streamline their businesses” in West Hartford by putting their efforts into the G-Monkey Truck expansion, according to the restaurant owners.
They will close the doors to the the state’s first vegan fast food restaurant Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.
“Our customers are family and when we officially close our doors, we hope they continue to follow along on our journey and become inspired by our decision to focus on developing a more joyful next chapter,” Beach said.
Although the sit-down dining is coming to an end, the G-monkey Mobile, established in 2009, “will continue serving up our cult classic signature recipes on our truck from the shoreline to the Hartford/West Hartford area and beyond,” the couple’s statement says.
The pair said in the statement that there may be a G-Monkey Fast Food Truck Franchise in the near future.
“When you own a restaurant, you spend most of your time behind the scenes,” Shadle said, of planned new endeavors. “I want to share some of my extensive knowledge with others through teaching and consulting opportunities and spend more time getting around our state…”
Instead of being “tucked in the back of a kitchen,” the pair are focusing on food trucks for flexibility in pursuing other avenues, they said.
They also plan to focus on developing a one-on-one vegan Caribbean adventure retreat at their home in Puerto Rico.
They also plan to host “intimate monthly” lectures at their farm in Durham, covering diverse topics related to vegan nutrition
In a heartfelt message on Facebook where the closure was announced, they wrote, “We’re not saying goodbye, but stepping into an exciting new journey… We’re going back to our roots, exploring creativity, and sharing transformative experiences with our amazing supporters.”
The decision, “carries weight and a lot of emotions,” they wrote, going on to say the West Hartford location and local community “have been incredible, and we’re forever grateful for your support.”
They said in the post that G-Monkey was a “huge success,” but we’ve realized that life is short and we need to follow our dreams.”
Anyone who is unable to use gift cards before Dec 16 will be able to use them on the fast food truck in spring 2024, the post states.
Customers reacted to the news on Facebook by wishing the best for Shadle and Beach and promising to follow their journey.
One commenter on Facebook wrote: “I love how you keep evolving as you move through this journey called life! That’s what it’s all about! Love you guys! ”
Another wrote: “Omg (then crying emoji) thank you for providing the vegan community with tasty & nourishing vegan food for so many years.”
Another customer wrote: “Sending love and excited for your future!”
Stay connected with them at ZenNourished.com, @zennourished, gmonkeyfastfood.com @gmonkeyfastfood