Steamers Seafood House in Bethesda has officially closed its doors.
William LeStrange Jr., who operated the restaurant with his son, William LeStrange III, sent a letter Aug. 14 to the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control saying they will voluntarily forfeit their liquor license and no longer operate the restaurant.
“The reason for this voluntary forfeiture is that, due to financial concerns, we can no longer afford to operate Steamers,” LeStrange Jr. wrote. “Our liabilities exceed our assets, and we are insolvent. We closed the business officially today [Aug. 14], and Steamers is no longer operating. We will, however, entertain offers from prospective buyers.”
Steamers’ owners were scheduled to appear Thursday before the county Board of License Commissioners about an alleged liquor license violation in April, which, if founded, would have been the restaurant’s seventh violation for serving alcohol after hours since 2004, according to DLC records. County police most recently cited the restaurant April 22 for serving drinks at 4 a.m., after the 2 a.m. weekday time permitted by county law.
LeStrange Jr. wrote in the letter that the hearing seems to be a “moot point” now that the restaurant is forfeiting its liquor license. The DLC agreed and the hearing has been cancelled. No one answered the restaurant’s phone around 1:50 p.m. Monday, but a voicemail message confirms that the restaurant has closed and thanks customers for visiting over the years.
In May, William LeStrange III told Bethesda Beat he and his father were going to try to sell the restaurant due to financial struggles. He said the restaurant had operated at the corner of Norfolk and Auburn avenues for the past 19 years.
On Monday, the restaurant sign facing Norfolk Avenue had been taken down and workers appeared to be clearing out the space.