The locally owned Southern diner and cake ball shop's last day in operation at 3401 Esperanza Crossing, Ste. 104, Austin, will be Jan. 2.
"We had a 10-year run in The Domain, and there have been a lot of larger tenants with better locations, more money and more resources that haven't made it in that place," owner Ben May said.
Copper is closing because May said the business was not able to reach a lease renewal agreement with the landlord, who wanted to go in a different direction with the space.
"We are kind of the canary in the coal mine," May said. "When housing functionally doubles in the city of Austin, the commercial stuff is right behind it. So when the landlord is approached by folks from out of town who are willing to pay multiples on what current tenants are paying, it's a no-brainer decision for the landlord to go with the new guys."
The Austin Cake Ball bakery at 5310 Burnet Road, Ste. 107, which is also owned by May, will remain open. 512-215-3633. www.copperaustin.com
