Deep Ellum’s Junction Craft Kitchen Shutters

Less than a year after it opened as Junction Craft Kitchen, the Deep Ellum eatery formerly helmed by chef Joshua Harmon has officially closed its doors.

Junction announced the shutter in a Facebook post, saying that the restaurant was a “sinking ship.” Back in November, Junction Craft Kitchen was purchased from its previous owner Casie Caldwell by Cody Neathery, who made a number of changes to the restaurant, including the addition of a back-room speakeasy intended to grab some of Deep Ellum’s bustling bar traffic, that just didn’t seem to stick. Before that, it was known as buzzy “permanent pop-up restaurant” Kitchen LTO.

“The last few months weren’t easy, filled with many trials and tribulations, but we weathered the storm and managed to stay afloat with your support,” reads the post. “Before new ownership came onboard in November, the ship was sinking, and the positive changes made didn’t resonate as planned. It was too little, too late. The struggle became a point of survival to keep our staff employed through the holidays.”

Junction Craft Kitchen’s last couple of months were filled with controversy. Back at the end of January, former chef Josh Harmon abruptly resigned his post at the restaurant, citing philosophical differences between himself and the new ownership. “I was changing the menu every two months, based on the farms and the seasons,” Harmon told Eater of his departure. “It became a hassle for them to do that style of food.”

Eater has reached out for more details on Junction’s abrupt shutter.

• Chef Joshua Harmon Is Leaving Junction Craft Kitchen [EDFW]
• Why Josh Harmon Walked Away From His Critically-Acclaimed Restaurant [EDFW]