Richard and Joan Neeno said in a release Tuesday that the last day of business for Lark, 60 S. Main St., was Saturday, Dec. 7.
The Neenos said Lark’s “season has passed” and that the decision was made after years of financial struggle.
The Neenos also own Lark Market, 56 S. Main St., and Sandwich Bar, 54 S. Main St., which they said are not closing.
“It’s been hard for us to face, but Lark’s season has passed,” the Neenos said in the release. “We have spent so much money, time and emotional energy trying to keep Lark afloat the last few years, but it is time to close this season in our life and move on to a new one.”
Lark opened in 2017 with a focus on food that was internationally inspired and seasonal, alongside craft cocktails in a casual yet elegant setting, according to Downtown Janesville, Inc.’s website.
Richard Neeno said in an interview Tuesday that in 2017, the downtown retail and restaurant scene included little more than Bodacious Brew, 119 N Main St., and some stores in and around Olde Towne Mall on South Main St.
The Neenos completely rehabilitated the building that became Lark, that was in a state of disrepair after sitting empty for eight years prior to their purchasing it.
They subsequently opened Lark Market two doors down in 2020, which sells wine, cocktail mixes, cheeses and meats and other market items. In 2021, they opened Sandwich Bar, a casual spot for gourmet sandwiches, beer, and cocktails.
In January 2024, the Neenos closely Lark temporarily, saying it had never fully recovered from the COVID-19 shutdown.
“Since we opened in 2017, so many of you have been generous with your business and support. Through gift certificate purchases in 2020, you helped us keep our doors open during some of the pandemic’s darkest times,” a post in January 2024 said.
“But the reality is that Lark never fully recovered to the business level it enjoyed in 2019. With rising food and labor costs we, like other restaurants, have struggled to achieve financial stability without raising prices beyond what we believe the local market will bear. We can no longer subsidize annual losses and unfortunately, while things improved in 2023, they were not to the level that is sustainable moving forward,” the January release said.
Lark reopened in March 2024. Manager Brendan Bragg said they spent the closure period preparing to relaunch the menu, bring in new staff and revamping the interior.
Joan Neeno wrote in the email Tuesday that she and Richard were grateful for the staff and customers who have supported Lark and who have been a part of the experience.
“We shared birthdays, anniversaries, first dates, date nights, engagements and wonderful evenings with you. It’s been an honor,” Neeno wrote.
The Neenos said increasing prices since the COVID-19 pandemic have hit the restaurant hard, and attaining their desired level of service and quality of ingredients became too difficult. And they expressed sorrow that staff were being let go during the holiday season.
Lark Market and Sandwich Bar
The Neenos said in Tuesday’s release that Lark Market and Sandwich Bar are doing well.
“It’s ironic that we are holding a ribbon cutting today with Forward Janesville for the wine bar and newly configured Lark Market. We have added classes, catering, business gift services, and now a space for enjoying wine to the Market and have seen business grow,” the release said.
Sandwich Bar, meanwhile, “has also had a healthy year and we are building out its catering business and planning events for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and evening events for next year. The team at Sandwich Bar is knocking it out of the park and growing a loyal fan base. It is truly their season,” the release said.
“We’re looking forward to having more balance in our lives and rediscovering some of the passions like cooking, travel and music that have fallen by the wayside this year. We will still be at the Market and we hope you will come in and have a glass of wine with us to toast a new year that has a lot of promise,” the Neenos also said.
Finally, speaking to restaurant clientele and the Janesville community in general, “we have a favor to ask of you,” the Neeno ssaid.
“Please support our small downtown businesses by shopping local. Our downtown has made tremendous progress since we opened Lark in 2017, but that progress is fragile. Please shop and dine downtown this holiday season so these businesses can keep their doors open.”
Restaurant Week
Lark’s announcement came as Downtown Janesville, Inc., also on Tuesday shared new details about its upcoming Restaurant Week.
In a release, Downtown Janesville Inc. said that in partnership with the Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Downtown Business Improvement District, it will showcase downtown eateries during Downtown Restaurant Week, Tuesday through Friday, Jan. 14-17.
“This event showcases our vibrant downtown culinary scene where you will get to take advantage of special menus, diverse dining experiences, and support our local businesses,” the release said. It “invites food lovers and tourists to explore some of the best dining experiences our city has to offer.”
Participating locations include: drafthouse, Genisa Wine Bar, Sandwich Bar, Sandee’s Thai Fusion, Bodacious Shops of Block 42, O’Riley & Conway’s, Franklin Street Tavern, The Looking Glass, and Whiskey Ranch. The special Restaurant Week menus offered will be a two-course lunch and/or 3-course dinner depending on the participating location.
Some restaurants will offer the Restaurant Week menu through the weekend; check with the restaurant directly to confirm. Menus will be announced the first week of January.
“Downtown Restaurant Week is a wonderful way for both locals and visitors to experience the diverse cuisine offerings in our downtown area,” said Elaina Szyjewski, managing director of Downtown Janesville Inc. “Whether you’re a food enthusiast or looking to try somewhere new, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”