Popular Sonoma restaurant to close at end of month

Owner Max Young says that the restaurant will reopen in 2017 with ‘new direction’|

Max Young purchased the former Little Switzerland property out of foreclosure in early 2013 and after extensive renovations, unveiled Rossi's 1906 to the community two years ago.

On Wednesday, Young announced that the restaurant will close on Monday, Oct. 31, for the next two months – November and December – then, he says, it will reopen with 'a new look and feel in 2017' as well as a new partner in the endeavor.

'Rossi's 1906 has been a great experience, but it is time to bring on a local partner to keep this historic location going for the long haul,' Young said in a statement.

'When I opened I said I would listen to Sonoma – and our concept wasn't quite cutting it,' he said. 'I can't thank my staff enough for their hard work and dedication to Rossi's for the past few years – they have been terrific. And while it is very hard to let this concept go, I am looking forward to a new direction with a new partnership and I can't wait to share it with Sonoma in 2017.'

When Young purchased Little Switzerland from the Garcia family, it appeared that an out-of-towner was swooping in to add to his stable of three bars in San Francisco and one in Oakland. His wife, Karen, however, is from an old Sonoma family, the Bruscheras, and the Youngs maintain homes in Boyes Hot Springs and San Francisco.

In an interview when Rossi's opened in 2014, Young said that, in his view, the property is a place for the ages, bigger than any one owner, and he is only the latest person to have the privilege of being that owner. 'I'm just steering the ship for a while,' he said.

Rossi's last night open in 2016 will be its third annual Halloween party on Saturday, Oct. 29. VooDoo Dolly (a Siouxie and the Banshees cover band) is on the bill, as is local band Loosely Covered. Other shows scheduled before the end of the month include Brandon and the Bees Knees on Friday, Oct. 21; Rubber Soul on Saturday, Oct. 22; Oktoberfest with Gruber Family Polka Band on Saturday, Oct. 23; Keith Greeninger with David Thom and Friends on Wednesday, Oct. 26; Kevin Russell and the Rhythm Rangers on Thursday, Oct 28. Young promises, 'more details to come regarding the partnership and new concept soon.'

Email Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.

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