Finbars in Seal Beach to Close

After 16 years of serving Italian cuisine in Seal Beach, Finbars will close its doors.

In an open letter to Patch Tuesday night, restaurant founder and owner Joseph Barbara announced the closure of the 620 Pacific Coast Highway location of Finbars Italian Kitchen.

“I want to thank everyone that’s been through my doors; guests, co-workers and all my neighbors,” said Barbara, a Seal Beach resident. "I hope to return to Seal Beach in the future. We are looking for a new home for Finbars. My home is here for twenty years and I am not planning on going anywhere."

The restaurant had been the subject of some controversy lately as customers wondered if the business was closed for remodeling or closed permanently. 

The restaurant's website had announced mclosed for remodeling starting April 1. In June 2010, the temporary closure of Rancho Santa Margarita Finbars became permanent.

The remaining Finbars restaurant is at 901 South Coast Drive Costa Mesa.

Here's the text of the email: (Editor’s Note: Patch has not edited the text of the email.)

An open letter from Joseph Barbara, Founder of Finbars Italian Kitchen Seal Beach, Inc.

Dear Friends,

After 16 years of doing business in Seal Beach I am saddened to say that we are closing our location at 620 PCH. All parties involved were very gracious and professional throughout the negotiations but unfortunately we have not been able to come to terms that are acceptable to both.

I want to thank everyone that’s been through my doors; guests, co-workers and all my neighbors. I want to thank Bay City Plaza Partners for their help. I want to thank all my vendors who supply me with the highest quality ingredients so that we can prepare my family recipes fresh for you.

I would also like to thank Watson and Associates for giving me the opportunity to start my first restaurant business in SB in their building at 550 PCH on November the 21st 1996.

I hope to return to Seal Beach in the future. We are looking for a new home for Finbars. My home is here for twenty years and I am not planning on going anywhere. Except of course to Costa Mesa where Finbars is located in the Metro Pointe shopping center.

Please visit us there and say hello. I will have cheesecake waiting for you.

As always I wish you all the best Peace and Love Joseph PS. Keep up with us by checking on the website at www.finbars.com or following us on Facebook. Anyone who would like to get in touch with me can call Finbars in Costa Mesa @714.641.3000. If I am not in please leave a message and I will personally return your call as soon as I can.

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