Quay Restaurant Quietly Shutters in Streeterville After Lawsuit Over Back Rent

Quay Restaurant, a population destination for tourists near Navy Pier, quietly closed last week. A sign posted on the multi-room restaurant's window confirmed the end of a four-year run. The closure also coincided with last month's dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the building's landlord seeking about $450,000 in back rent, according to Cook County court documents.

"It was our pleasure serving you and our Streeterville community these last [four] years," the sign read.

The property, which has included a riverside patio with a boat dock, has been listed for rent, with the landlord seeking another 10-year lease, the same duration Quay held. The lawsuit, filed on May 20, 2015 by AH-River East LLC, claimed Quay defaulted on the agreement, failing to pay rent from December 2013 through May 2015 to a tune of $443,775.49. Co-owner Michael K. O'Malley had petitioned for bankruptcy during this time, according to the lawsuit, which was dismissed on Jan. 19.

Group Fox Management, which owns the River East Art Center where Quay stands, has taken over the property. The space will be ready for a new tenant in March, according to the listing. Whoever ends up with the space will have access to the scenic spot along the Chicago River that draws a plethora of tourists thanks to Navy Pier. Stay tuned and read the note from Quay management below.

[Photo: Ashok Selvam]