The holiday season is often the busiest time for New York City restaurants, driven by an influx of tourists, office parties, and gatherings that many small apartments can’t accommodate.

However, the season also brings high stakes for businesses, prompting reflection when things aren’t going well as the year draws to a close. Over the past week, while New Yorkers celebrated Thanksgiving and navigated the frenzy of Black Friday, several restaurant owners—ranging from Ugly Baby to Buttermilk Channel—announced plans to shut their doors by year’s end.

En Brasserie, a prominent Japanese restaurant located at the crossroads of the West Village and Tribeca, marked its 20th anniversary in November with a celebrity-filled closing party featuring guests like Martha Stewart. According to owner Reika Alexander, the closure wasn’t voluntary; her landlord declined to renew the lease, opting instead to rent the space to Daniel Humm.

En Brasserie’s final day will be December 22. Similarly, in Carroll Gardens, Buttermilk Channel—famous for its fried chicken—is closing after 15 years. Its last day will be December 31, though two locations in Japan will continue to operate. Owner Doug Crowell also runs French Louie, a popular brunch spot in Boerum Hill.

Other notable closures include the Williamsburg branch of Mexican all-day café For All Things Good and the Nolita location of Egyptian fast-casual eatery Zooba. For All Things Good owner Matt Diaz is already planning a new concept, Disco Birdies, near the original Bed-Stuy location.

Zooba, on the other hand, announced via Instagram that despite media attention, appearances on shows like Ramy, and a pivot from full-service to fast-casual dining, the financial challenges brought on by COVID proved insurmountable. Zooba served its last customers on December 5.