Warrenton's Crescendo Bistro Closes, New Restaurant Replaces It

        After three years in business, Crescendo Bistro in Warrenton will shut this week for lack of customers.

    Two new restaurants, the Black Bear Bistro and Sweeneys Cellar, will open in mid- to late-June in the same space at 32 Main St.

       Rob Flemming, Crescendos chef and owner, declined to discuss the closure.

       I just don't have time to comment now, Flemming said Tuesday morning. I'm trying to run a business.

His restaurant will close Saturday, May 30, the day before his lease on the storefront ends.

        There was one very, very important reason for the closure, said Walter Story, who owns the building. Due to the economy, the volume [of Crescendo Bistro's business] has dropped by one quarter in the past year. A small business like that cant handle that amount of drop.

Todd Eisenhauer, the chef at Napoleans Restaurant at 67 Waterloo St. in Warrenton, and his wife Liz, own and will operate the Black Bear Bistro and Sweeneys Cellar.

        Eisenhauer believes he will succeed because his operation will offer a more casual atmosphere and different menu and make more productive use of the space.

        Were getting away from what everybody calls fine dining, said the 40-year-old chef, who more than eight years ago helped open the first restaurant at 32 Main St. Were calling it distinguished dining. You can come in T-shirts and shorts and feel comfortable.

For the full story, read the May 27 Fauquier Times-Democrat