Bombers Burrito Bar, a well-known restaurant brand in the Capital Region of Albany, has sadly closed its doors after nearly 26 years of operation. The closure can be attributed to changing customer habits and the lingering impacts of the pandemic, according to owner Jimmy Vann.
Bombers, which once had four locations and a food truck, served its final burritos and margaritas at its original Lark Street location on Sunday. Vann, who had been with Bombers for 25 years and purchased the business from founder Matt Baumgartner in 2017, expressed deep sadness over the closure.
The decline in sales, particularly in the Lark Street location, coupled with rising food costs and other challenges, created an impossible situation for Bombers. Additionally, the late-night drinking crowd that used to frequent the restaurant was no longer present after 10 p.m. Furthermore, the restaurant faced difficulties with minimal in-person lunch sales due to the prevalence of online ordering through third-party apps that impose significant fees on restaurants.
During its peak, Bombers employed around 50 people, serving lunch and dinner at the Lark Street and State Street locations in Schenectady, as well as catering to Albany’s lunch crowds from various government offices and institutions. Unfortunately, the final 15 employees were informed of their job loss on Sunday. The Schenectady restaurant had closed six months prior, followed by the lunchtime Bombers and food truck.
The closure of Bombers is particularly heartbreaking for founder Baumgartner, who started the restaurant in 1997 after a casino win allowed him to pursue his passion. Vann, who joined the team in 1998, eventually became the vice president of operations and oversaw all locations, including the Schenectady branch that opened in 2009.
Baumgartner revealed that he only learned about the Schenectady closure from a reporter and was informed of the Lark Street closure via a text message on the day it happened. He expressed regret at not having the opportunity to assist Vann in continuing the brand or finding a buyer while the restaurant was still operating. Vann still owes Baumgartner money related to the purchase, which they will need to discuss.
While the Bombers buildings on Lark Street and State Street are still owned by Baumgartner, he hopes to find new restaurant tenants for both locations. Although he has sold off his interest in other ventures, including Wolff’s Biergarten, Baumgartner remains the owner of June Farms, an event venue in West Sand Lake that is currently hosting a reality show.
The closure of Bombers on Lark Street is undoubtedly a loss for the area, according to Patrick Noonan, owner of El Loco Mexican Cafe and chair of the Lark Street Business Improvement District. However, Noonan remains optimistic about the future of Lark Street and believes that the challenges faced by Bombers reflect the broader struggles of the hospitality industry rather than the viability of the iconic Albany street.
For Vann, the news of the closure was met with disbelief and grief. He expressed gratitude for the support of loyal customers and the memories shared with the dedicated employees of Bombers.
In conclusion, the closure of Bombers Burrito Bar after 26 years due to changing customer habits and the impact of the pandemic is a significant loss for the Capital Region. The challenges faced by the restaurant industry, combined with specific factors such as declining sales and rising costs, made it impossible for Bombers to sustain its operations. While this closure is heartbreaking, there is still optimism for the future of Lark Street and the wider community.
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