Battle Creek's Clara’s on the River Closing After 34 Years

Another longtime Michigan restaurant is about to become a memory.

Clara's on the River in Battle Creek has announced it will permanently close after brunch Sunday, September 6, ending a 34-year run in one of the coolest restaurant buildings in Michigan.

Clara's opened June 8, 1992, inside Battle Creek's former Michigan Central Railroad Depot. The depot itself dates all the way back to 1888 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Soldiers passed through here on the way to serve in both World Wars, long before anyone was stopping by for brunch.

Clara's on the River in Battle Creek has announced it will be closing this weekend after 34 years. (Photo via Facebook: Clara's on the River)

For generations of Battle Creek families, Clara's became a destination in its own right, known as much for the historic building, antiques, and riverfront seating as its huge menu.

Unfortunately, Clara's says some very modern problems are bringing that history to an end.

Clara’s on the River Is Closing After 34 Years

In a post to social media, the restaurant points to increased competition from national chains, continued high food and energy costs, and what it calls the "unaffordable maintenance costs" of its 35-year-old HVAC system.

Clara's on the River has operated at the old Michigan Central Railroad Depot building in Battle Creek since 1992. Photo via Facebook (Clara's on the River)

And if the name Clara's sounds familiar to longtime Lansing residents, there's a reason.

Clara’s Had a Sister Restaurant in Lansing

Clara's on the River was essentially the Battle Creek sister restaurant to Clara's Lansing Station. Founder Peter Jubeck opened the Lansing restaurant in another historic railroad depot in 1979. That Clara's restaurant remained a Lansing landmark until closing in 2016 after nearly 38 years of service.

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Now, a decade later, Michigan is losing the other Clara's.

One Last Chance to Visit Clara’s

The restaurant is inviting customers back one last time before Sunday afternoon's closing to say goodbye not only to Clara's, but also to the remarkable 138-year-old building it called home.

13 Lansing Restaurants That Locals Miss

Change is the one constant throughout life. So of course, Lansing has seen its fair share of restaurants close. However, there are some restaurants that some locals miss dearly. These are 13 restaurants that have closed through the years that Lansing locals miss.

Gallery Credit: Kristen Matthews