Popular Lorain restaurant to close Dec. 31

LORAIN — As Jackalope Lakeside Restaurant prepares to close its doors on Dec. 31, owner Jim Andrews said he's thankful for the customer support the business has received over the years and wants to make the rest of the year special. The popular American and seafood restaurant has become a Lorain fixture since Andrews opened it in 1996. As a tribute to those 23 years in business, Andrews is offering 23 percent off dinner entrees on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the rest of the year as a thank-you to customers. He also said he's planning to have a "customer appreciation party" in December with free food and drinks for the community, although the details aren't ironed out yet. "We'll probably have a band in the dining room and just have a good old party," he said. Andrews' other restaurant, Wood & Wine in Avon, will remain open. He said his motivation for closing Jackalope was not based on customer support or finances. "We're still going strong and all that stuff," Andrews said. But multiple factors led him to decide the restaurant's time was coming to a close. For one thing, Oasis Marinas is taking over operations of the current Spitzer Lakeside Marina, where the restaurant is located, at 301 Lakeside Ave. Oasis asked Andrews to update Jackalope to be more "fresh," he said. After considering it, he decided to close the business. "They want a refresh of everything that's going on," Andrews said. "I'm at the point, after 23 years, I said, 'It's time to close the Jackalope.' " He added that the long hours he has worked at the restaurant have worn on him, and he will enjoy being able to "take time with my son and have a Friday and Saturday off together." Andrews emphasized that Jackalope isn't being forced out. He said he doesn't know what restaurant will replace Jackalope at its current building, but he does know Jackalope gift certificates will be accepted there. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com.