Music Cafe to Close in Damascus After 15 Years

Music Cafe, a restaurant that offers quality crafted sandwiches, gourmet coffee, local craft beer, and live music, will close after 15 years in Damascus.

The cafe posted the following message on its Facebook page:

Well Damascus….It’s been over 15 wonderful years of “Letting the good times Roll”.
Our lease is up, and we’ve decided not to renew, as we do not agree with the new terms, as well as a few other things.

Pre-Covid we were gung-ho. Re-doing the lobby, stage area, artwork, menus, patio, etc.
After almost two years of dealing with repercussions from the Pandemic such as the increase in food cost, as well as labor, and just finding good reliable employees who want to work, we’ve decided to close our doors.

Yes, this has been a very difficult decision for us. The Music Café has been a big part of our lives for many years. We’ve gone through many ups, downs, and crossroads so-to-speak. We’ve learned what to do, and “of course” what not to do. We’ve accumulated so many wonderful memories that will never be erased.
We’ve made so many close friends, and have met so many amazing beautiful people along the way.
We’ve seen many come to the Café for marriage proposals, first dates, funerals, birthdays, showers, etc. We’ve heard much laughter, seen many smiles, and have joined in on shedding tears with many as well. We literally watched our children grow up there. It was a place where they, and many others called home.

Long story short, the Café touched many lives. Especially the lives of myself and my loving wife. Therefore we are grateful, and feel so very blessed to have received the ongoing support, love and prayers that our community has given us over the years. We’d like to thank each and every one of you on this post, but there are literally too many of you. You all know who you are!

I am going to just slip in a very special thank you to my partner in crime..my “again” loving, beautiful and amazing wife Christine Anderson, my amazing children Jordan and Trevor. My one-of a-kind perfect parents who’ve been coming to the Café weekly (almost) and supporting live music and hunger for 15 years straight. Of course the rest of my entire family as well.

We’ll never forget the (oh-so-many) larger events we held. Led Zepplica at the Weinburg Center, Big Funky Blues Festival, County Western Bluegrass Festival, all concerts at Carroll Arts Center, our 10 year anniversary and all tribute concerts, as well as some very large fundraising events for various people in need. Thank you from the very bottom of our hearts for every single musician who has ever stepped foot on that stage, and for every patron who has entered our establishment. We are appreciative and grateful for your contribution.

Now, our very last of business will be Saturday, December 11th. We’ll probably stay open a bit late that evening under the circumstances.
So there’s not much time left people. Come and get your last fill of The Music Cafe.
You’ve all touched our hearts for a strong fifteen years.
Thank you sincerely 🙏

~Randy and Chris Anderson