The Empire Crumbles

[April 26th, 2006] On the heels of local restaurateur Naomi Hebberoy's Thursday announcement on wweek.com that her husband, Michael Hebberoy, had left ripe (the pair's Portland restaurant empire of Family Supper, clarklewis and the Gotham Bldg. Tavern) and that the couple would soon divorce, comes another bombshell. Saturday night Naomi announced that Gotham Bldg. Tavern and ripe's Family Supper are closed. Clarklewis will remain open.

"Michael left the company abruptly on Wednesday.... Upon his departure the company needed to be re-structured—both legally and fiscally," Naomi wrote in a long statement she posted on the popular local foodie website portlandfoodanddrink.com Saturday evening (read the full statement here www.portlandfoodanddrink.com/?p=470#more-470). "Within that corporate re-structuring, came some important examination into the realities of all three establishments, (Gotham Tavern, clarklewis, and Family supper). Those things that were examined included both the financial aspects, and the overall operations of all 3 places. Within our corporate meeting, it became clear that while clarklewis was very very successful— gotham and supper left a bit to be desired."

A longtime ripe staffer (who preferred to remain anonymous) confirmed that approximately 30 Gotham and ripe employees were notified of the closure after their shift Friday night. They were let go at that time.

Rumors have been flying that a lack of confidence from ripe investors prompted Naomi to shutter the businesses, but Naomi termed the closures as a way to "re-group" in her portlandfoodanddrink.com post. She also hinted that Family Supper, the intimate group dinner series that was the genesis of ripe, may reemerge someday." It is my original concept, and the heart and soul, and a lot of the 'why' in what I do. None of that is gone. I certainly have learned though, that there needs to be a lot of focus and thought put into one thing..before another thing is started..or everything suffers," she wrote. "Everyone should know that whatever path i go on from here- is going to be one of great focus and intention."

No word yet where Gotham Bldg. Tavern's talented chef Tommy Habetz, a veteran of both Mario Batali's and Bobby Flay's kitchens, will end up as the ripe meltdown continues.

NOTE: This story published to the web on 4/30/2006