GATHER Lafayette Announces it Will Permanently Close its Doors

GATHER Lafayette, a brunch and lunch spot located at 406 Garfield Street in Downtown Lafayette, has announced it will be closing its doors for good. Despite the enthusiasm surrounding its opening less than a year ago, the restaurant cited economic challenges and other hurdles as reasons for the difficult decision to close. GATHER’s final day of business will be Saturday, September 21.

In a heartfelt Facebook post, the owners expressed their gratitude to the community: “We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for all the incredible support we've received from each and every one of you. Unfortunately, due to the tough economic situation, the challenges of being a small business owner, and a few other hurdles, we've made the tough decision to close our doors. Our final day of business will be on Saturday, 9/21/24. We'd love for you to join us this week to have your favorite(s) one last time. If you have any unused gift certificates, please come by and redeem them. We will be open Tuesday - Saturday. We'll truly miss each and every one of you! Thank you for allowing the time that we spent here a delightful and memorable experience!”

GATHER, owned by local restaurateurs Bonnie and Paul Gibson, opened in December 2023 in the space formerly occupied by Scratch Farm Kitchen. The couple, known for their previous ventures, including Pane & Vino and Bonnie Bell’s Bistro, aimed to bring a unique counter-service concept to Downtown Lafayette. The menu, crafted by Chef Paul, featured a diverse range of breakfast and lunch options inspired by cuisines worldwide, including Korean, Southwest, Mexican, and American influences.

The location quickly became known for its cozy indoor and outdoor atmosphere, taking advantage of its charming courtyard space blocks away from major downtown festival traffic. However, despite a promising start and positive reception, the restaurant faced challenges that ultimately led to the announce of its closure.

GATHER Lafayette will continue to operate on its regular schedule, Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., until its final day. Patrons with unused gift certificates are encouraged to visit and redeem them during the restaurant’s last week of service.

The closure of GATHER is at least the third local business to announce its closure this week, joining a popcorn shop and a furniture store that decided to close their doors as well.

Lafayette will surely miss GATHER's unique flavors and warm hospitality, but we wish them the best in the future.