Award-Winning, Iconic Restaurant The Lark Closing Doors After 35 Years
WEST BLOOMFIELD (WWJ) - The Lark, one of metro Detroit's top restaurants, is closing its doors after 35 years of business.
The iconic restaurant on Farmington Road in West Bloomfield will officially serve its last meals on December 23 before closing up shop for good.
Owner Mary Lark says she's loved every minute of it, but it's time to relax and retire.
"I feel we really enjoyed working at the restaurant and running it in a joyous way and really having a good time," she said. "And also, meeting wonderful people from the very beginning. That was most fun for me."
While the couple is looking forward to retirement, Mary said they'll always remember the smiling faces they saw every day at the restaurant.
"We're going to miss, mostly, all the people. Not only the people that come here but our staff and the ones that are involved," she said.
Jim Lark echoed that statement, saying the loyal customers at The Lark have been like family.
"Some of them have been here close to 300 times," he said. "You know, it sort of blends from being a patron to being a friend, and that's what we'll miss the most."
The Lark has served thousands of meals since it opened June 2, 1981. Talks have been underway to sell the restaurant, but no new owners have been announced so far.
The Lark has won more awards than any other restaurant in Michigan and has been named as one of the nation's top restaurants by Conde Nast Traveler and Gourmet Magazines.