Current ownership closes doors on Royal N'Orleans

The Royal N'Orleans has been closed since June 30, and its future remains uncertain.

The fine-dining restaurant has not passed a city fire code inspection, violating the conditions set when the Cape Girardeau City Council on June 15 approved a six-month conditional liquor license, said Heather Brooks, assistant to city manager Scott Meyer. In addition, questions about exactly when the current owners took over and whether they have paid all the city restaurant taxes due have not been answered to the city's satisfaction, she said.

Former restaurant owner Derek Miller confirmed the closure.

"We are not going to be re-opening the restaurant under my ownership," Miller said.

Further messages left with Miller were not returned to the Southeast Missourian. It is unknown when or if the restaurant will reopen.

The fire inspection issue isn't related to any structural problems in the historic building that houses the restaurant, Brooks said. Instead, she said, the issues are more routine matters, such as signs at fire exits and properly charged fire extinguishers, among others.

On the taxes, Brooks said the city believes Miller owes money under the 1 percent tax on meals and drinks.

For all those reasons, the restaurant's city liquor license expired at midnight last Tuesday and the conditional license did not become effective.

"We have been in discussions with them since March about the issues and conditions they must meet," Brooks said.

The city fire inspector has been ready on short notice to re-inspect the restaurant if requested, she said.

The shutdown marks another chapter in recent unpredictable events for the restaurant.

Miller closed the restaurant for three days in March, citing a sign placed on the outside of the building advertising it was for sale. The sign was later removed.

Miller vowed in June to continue operating the restaurant. He purchased ownership of the company in December 2007 and assumed full control in July 2008.

The building that housed the restaurant at 300 Broadway remains for sale, commercial real estate broker Cynthia Austin said. The property is listed at $750,000.

While the reason for the closure is unknown, Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive office John Mehner said the restaurant industry in the city is doing well as a whole.

He cited the latest numbers of restaurant receipts, which are up 2.95 percent in the city of Cape Girardeau compared to the same time period in 2008.

"Restaurant numbers are up in the city of Cape Girardeau," Mehner said. "That doesn't mean every restaurant is doing well, however.

"Generalizations are hard to make, as some do well while others don't," Mehner said. "But the bottom line is total numbers are up. People are still going up and eating."

Southeast Missourian reporter Rudi Keller contributed to this story.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent address:

300 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO