Cooper-Young restaurant Sweet Grass / Next Door to close after 12 years of business

Chef Ryan Trimm is closing his Cooper-Young restaurant Sweet Grass / Next Door.

Trimm announced Friday that he has decided to close his 12-year-old restaurant and bar at 937 Cooper St.

"I don't want to close, but I also don't want to pay the escalated rent," said Trimm, adding his landlord is increasing the building's rent.

His lease had expired last April, but instead of renewing for a five-year term he opted for a one-year lease.

Trimm said his sales have yet to return to the 2019 pre-pandemic levels, and that paying an increase in rent does not make financial sense for his business.

Building owner Kristi Ryan said she had hoped to negotiate and keep them in the building, but she needed to get the rent back to fair market value.

MEMPHIS RESTAURANTS: Sunrise Memphis is bringing its breakfast and lunch fare to East Memphis

COOPER-YOUNG BUSINESSES: Kolaches, Texas-sized cinnamon rolls and BBQ? Bain Barbecue & Bakery brings it all to Cooper-Young

Trimm opened Sweet Grass in April 2010. The following year he opened Sweet Grass / Next Door, a casual sports restaurant and bar. Sweet Grass has won such accolades as Best New Restaurant and Best Bar in multiple Memphis publications. In addition, Trimm was nominated for Food and Wine’s People's Best New Chef 2011.

The neighborhood bistro is known for its Low Country style cuisine made with local ingredients.

Trimm said he hopes to reopen in another location in Midtown. "I would love to purchase a 3,000-square-foot place," he said.

He added he is grateful that he has other restaurants to keep his staff employed. Employees who choose to will go on to work at his Downtown steakhouse 117 Prime or at Sunrise Memphis.

A final closing date has yet to be set, but Trimm said Easter brunch may be the final service. His lease ends April 30.

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis restaurant Sweet Grass / Next Door to close