Black Bear Bistro & Brick Oven Closes it’s Doors in Downtown Warrenton

Black Bear Bistro & Brick Oven in Old Town Warrenton closed its doors this weekend and bid farewell to patrons after a decade and half in business. On Friday, the restaurant announced on Facebook, “So to all our loyal patrons and friends as of 9 pm Saturday we will be closing. It’s been a great 15 years!”

On Sunday, the eatery hosted a casual gathering with a free buffet and beverages to thank and say goodbye to customers.

 

The restaurant’s post did not offer details about why the restaurant closed. On the Fauquier Community Facebook page, an editor posted, “There will be a new restaurant opening in the same space, but no firm details to report yet.” A top contributor to the page added, “New owners, they’ll be opening back up in a couple of months! New name! New environment!” Another commenter added, “…they will be keeping the pizza oven.”

Black Bear, known for its brick oven pizza, burgers and sandwiches, was owned by chef Todd Eisenhauer, an Army veteran and former chef at Griffin Tavern in Flint Hill. According to the restaurant’s website, Eisenhauer also owns and operates a brick oven food truck and Ours Noir, a Cajun/Creole-style eatery in Washington that opened last year,

In May 2017, Eisenhauer opened Black Bear Mercantile Market, a butcher shop on Culpeper Street, but the shop closed in February 2018 less than a year later –– due to a lack of business, he said at the time.

In addition to indoor dining areas, Black Bear featured an outdoor bar and pet-friendly patio open seasonally.

The business also included the Brick Oven at Black Bear, a wood fired pizzeria located in the lower level of the bistro.

Many commenters on Facebook were upset to hear the news.

Casey Griffin commented, “So many prom and homecoming dinners, so many birthdays, so many leisurely lunches and nights spent laughing with loved ones.”

Jack Dyrholm’s comment got 14 “likes” stating, “Well this is a big loss from Main Street and my family in particular. One of the best places to get gluten free pizza here in town.”

Stephanie Weaver commented, “So sad to hear this! My husband and I went to black bear for a first date seven years ago this month period you will be missed by many!”

While the majority of the 211 comments on the restaurant and the community Facebook pages expressed sadness over the restaurant closing, one commenter, who received 25 “likes” on this comment, which apparently was later deleted, wrote that he was sorry for the business to close, but the food had slowly gone downhill for years, and he was excited to see what was coming next.

While you can’t please everyone all the time, many patrons enjoyed the Black Bear Bistro during its 15-year run and will certainly miss it.

The restaurant’s closure is the latest change to Main Street, following the Warrenton Hobby Shoppe and the neighboring barber shop’s relocation this spring to make way for a nautical and resort wear shop and Three Sisters women’s clothing boutique.