The open sign next to the Tahoe Ridge Winery and Bistro in Minden remains dark after the restaurant closed on Sunday.
Minden, Nev. — Tahoe Ridge Winery and Bistro has consolidated its efforts in Carson City after closing its Minden location, the owners announced Monday.
The Minden location opened in 2009 after Tahoe Ridge moved operations out of Genoa. The company had operated in Nevada’s oldest town for six years.
Spokesman Bill Long said that the model where the Minden location was the only retail outlet for the wine produced by the company was not profitable.
“It was determined last year that a second retail outlet with a much higher revenue potential than the bistro in Minden would be necessary,” Long said in a statement issued on Monday. “Because Nevada law restricts wineries to having only two retail outlets where one has to be at the production facility, a search was initiated for a location that could house both the wine production facility and a retail outlet.”
The company located that site at the old Station Grill in Carson City’s Carson Mall.
The Carson bistro opened on March 24 and wine production was moved there on May 1.
“Our original expectation was to keep the Minden Bistro open…” Long said. “However, we have not realized the savings that we were anticipating from economies of scale and sharing resources and costs between the two locations.”
According to Long the Minden location’s last day was Sunday.
“This is a sad and disappointing time for the employees and managers of Tahoe Ridge,” Long said. “The many loyal supporters of our business in this area have become good friends since the Minden Bistro opened over five years ago. We hope to continue to benefit from your patronage and support…”
He asked customers to visit the Carson City location at 1105 S. Carson St. in Carson City.
“You will be greeted and served by many of our outstanding employees,” he said.
The Carson City location is 1105 S. Carson St. in Carson City.