It happened again. Just like the popular restaurant 12South Josephine has closed the shutters Just when they should have celebrated their tenth anniversary – because this auspicious success happened to coincide with the end of a 10-year lease – Melrose’s favorite cinema will soon serve its last bottomless brunch.

Sinema opened (yes) 10 years ago in the former Loews Melrose Theater building, and its final service will be held on Saturday, August 31. Known for its sultry Hollywood-chic ambiance and the talented chefs who worked in the kitchen, Sinema was a highlight in a neighborhood full of casual restaurants. A popular destination for out-of-towners looking for a glamorous place for an adult meal outside the city core (and one of the city’s most popular spots for bathroom selfies) Sinema was also popular with many different local populations.

The upstairs lounge attracted cocktail lovers—especially fans of rare bourbons, thanks to an extensive collection of luxury whiskeys. The semi-private upstairs spaces were ideal for seeing and (almost) being seen during a special dinner or impromptu upscale happy hour with a group of friends. The multiple dining rooms on the ground floor offered another “choose your experience” dining experience. I always loved sitting where I could see into the open kitchen and watch chefs like Dale Levitski, Kyle Patterson and newcomer Shelby Briggs effortlessly guide the staff through service. From the decor to the cutlery to the artistic presentation of the plates, Sinema exuded class.

The sad truth, however, is that 10 years usually means renewing a lease at 2024 prices, rather than the prices at the start of Nashville’s restaurant boom in 2014. And that’s simply unsustainable for many restaurants, even successful ones like Josephine and Sinema. Co-owners Ed and Sam Reed may have deep pockets, but the Reed family didn’t become so successful by paying above market for anything, and I imagine no business plan accounts for the magnitude of rent increases that occur when renewing the lease in the current market. Plus, Sinema was a pretty large property that was at capacity every night.

The third of the trio of Sinema owners is Q Taylor, and it has always been impressive to watch him work in a restaurant. A true hospitality professional, Q always went above and beyond to maximize the dining experience for his guests, whether it was a table full of hungry titans or a 16-year-old celebrating her birthday party at a special venue. As one of the few black owners of a fine dining restaurant in the city, he has always been a role model for anyone looking to succeed in the industry. Whatever venture lures him next will be a godsend. (Plus, I’m sure he’ll continue to be heavily involved in his and the Reeds’ other projects at 8th and Roast as the coffee company continues to expand.)

But now we’re at the end of Sinema’s run. The management team issued the following statement this afternoon after informing their team of the impending closure:

“It is with the utmost appreciation to our guests, our team and the Nashville community that we announce that Sinema’s final service will be on Saturday, August 31st. Sinema was a dream come true and the result was a decade of service to the Nashville community, celebrating outstanding moments and recognizing countless milestones with private events, celebratory dinners, nonstop brunches and plenty of #SinemaSelfies. We’ve received local and national awards, hosted special guests and made many special days possible.

Our team has successfully navigated the pandemic, supported our employees during wage inflation, and adapted to rising real estate prices, all of which made this venture uneconomical. As the end of our current lease approaches, it’s time to finish on a high note. We invite the community to join us in celebrating 10 incredible years by having dinner with us over the next two weeks as we make our final toasts to Sinema.

What’s next: Our sister company 8th & Roast is growing rapidly and we’re focused on supporting our farmer relationships and our community of wholesale and retail customers. And who knows? Maybe we’ll see you in another dining room soon.”

Management is currently assisting all current employees in finding new employment following the closure.

Following the recent death of long-time local restaurant owner Randy Rayburn, I visited a story I wrote five years ago about him, Deb Paquette and Margot McCormack sitting around a table reflecting and reminiscing about the Nashville restaurant industryOne comment from McCormack particularly caught my attention then and still does: “Sometimes I just think that maybe restaurants aren’t meant to be old.”

I wish that weren’t true, but it often is. I prefer to think that Sinema fully embraced his Hollywood vibe with a Tinseltown cliche and got out while it was still young and vibrant, rather than sticking around a little too long in the hopes of aging gracefully – in an industry that doesn’t reward experience over attractiveness. Like a candle in the wind…