Grace's Place Bagels & Deli in Palm Coast, FL, which was featured on season eight of Restaurant Impossible has closed. The reason for closing..... Rats.The restaurant failed an inspection in September of 2014 due to the finding of rat droppings in multiple places (see bottom of update). After that inspection, they were forced to close for a day, but were allowed to reopen. However, the restaurant closed for good in November, which was again due to rats.
An article in the Daytona Beach News Journal details the closure, and Grace and Ed Tutak blame the landlord for the rats, while the property owner blames the restaurant. The rats still remain at the empty restaurant and have "eaten through the dry wall and they’ve chewed holes through boxes and bags to get to the nonperishable food that typically sits on shelves and counters at most restaurants."
The owners also stated that business was booming after the makeover, but the October article about the rat droppings found during a restaurant inspection doomed them. They also fell behind on rent due to this.
The restaurant is currently selling everything in the restaurant with a "Forced To Leave Sale," which they seem to poke fun at themselves by posting a picture of mice. They have also responded to their critics on their Facebook page, which is interesting to read.
This is the third restaurant from season eight (2014) of Restaurant Impossible to close and the Restaurant Impossible Update page has been updated with this information.