Maker’s Common, Berkeley’s Sister Restaurant to Mission Cheese, Will Close

Downtown Berkeley cheese market and restaurant Maker’s Common will close after just seven months in business, serving its last meal on March 4. Owners Sarah Dvorak and Eric Miller opened their larger spinoff of popular Valencia Street restaurant Mission Cheese over the summer, but looking at their revenue so far, have determined they’ve got to call it quits.

Maker’s Common opened under a Direct Public Offering model, with Miller and Dvorak raising more than $530,000 from 160 investors and signing their ten-year lease at 1954 University Ave. But after fiddling with the format in response to feedback — lowering prices, offering takeout and delivery, and participating in community events like Berkeley Restaurant Week and SF Beer week — they still consider Maker’s Common to be unsustainable.

“It is with heavy, tired hearts that we announce the closure of Maker’s Common,” the team revealed in a gracious statement.

“For over 7 months we have poured every ounce of our energy to adapt to the comments and desires of the community. We have partnered with local theaters and organizations, and worked to provide our team with all the education and training that are required for our concept, but have ultimately come up short. We are so grateful for all the support we have received along this four-year journey and for those of you that came in to enjoy delicious food and drink. We are so sorry to let our community down, and we hope our failure does not discourage people from investing locally in the future. We are proud of the goods that we have offered to the people of Berkeley and beyond and will continue to operate through Sunday, March 4.”

Miller and Dvorak, who sound understandably disappointed, are actively seeking a new tenant to take over the space. After the closure, they’ll open for private events and pop-ups until one is found.

• Maker’s Common in Berkeley to close on March 4 [Berkeleyside]