Another Business Bites The Dust: Chef's Lab Closes Its Doors

Despite its inviting space, Chef's Lab lasted only six months before it closed on Sunday, leaving another empty storefront on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair.

The reasons for the abrupt closing of the cooking-related store and school involved a little bit of everything, ranging from high rents to challenges experienced by any first-time business owner, said owner Henry Thervil.

Some problems started even before the store was opened when the ventilation system was deemed inadequate by the Township for the cooking classes that were being planned.

"They wanted a restaurant ventilation system in there and it was an additional $20,000," Thervil told Patch. "We were not planning for that and the architect said it was unnecessary."

He said he thought about not even opening the store at all at that point. He decided to go ahead, but that money soaked up the marketing and advertising budget needed to draw cooks to the store for enrichment classes, or date nights, or classes like knife skills.

When the store finally opened in late May it immediately drew notice for its ability to host children's birthday parties and camps designed to teach children the basics of cooking.

"We had great kids classes, but we couldn't draw the adults," Thervil said.

He thinks people's schedules were too busy to handle a three-hour cooking class after work.

"It was a struggle to get those private classes going and it was supposed to be 60 percent of the business," he said.

Between high rents, lack of adult customers, and the unexpected ventilation system, Thervil decided he didn't want the store to continue its slow bleed financially.

"It was easier to close up and put everything in storage until next time," Thervil said.

And so, indeed, he packed up everything from the store and put it in storage while he looks around for a new space. Ideally he'll find a warehouse space in Bloomfield or Nutley that can be shared by other food businesses.

"We want to make it a destination in Essex County for food, and have a cake person, relish person, spice person, cookies, cheese, and a Chef's Lab for classes," he said. "Something like a Chelsea Market would be ideal."

Next time he said he'll be certain to garner the backing of the community and the town management before any new business even opens. "We'll be back, we're taking a break," Thervil said. "I appreciated all the good people who came in to chat, to take classes, or have parties for their kids. It was a great time."