Popular Folsom eatery closes for good in wake of COVID-19 crisis

After temporarily closing due to an employee's positive Covid-19 test in early July, one of Historic Folsom's popular eateries has now closed for good.Marly and Moo, located at 608 Sutter St., is another local casualty of the continued COVID-19 restrictions that are wreaking havoc on the business community.On July 7, Marly and Moo notified the public on Facebook that one of its workers had tested positive for Covid-19. The business explained that all of its employees would be tested and the restaurant would temporarily close and be thoroughly sanitized before reopening. Less than one month later, owner Brian Knadle has decided to call it quits.If anyone knows the restaurant business well, it is Knadle, who is clearly saddened by the decision to close the doors of the restaurant after his daughter. Knadle introduced Sutter Steakhouse to the community in 2009 and later ventured into his own American gastropub restaurant next door in the building that once was home to an eatery called The Hamptons."With a heavy heart, I have decided to close Marly and Moo. I have always aimed to be part of this great community and wanted to give back as much as I could," said Knadle. "I will miss our guests, other brace business owners on the street and the staff that was here during this extraneous year."Marly and Moo is the second eatery on Historic Sutter Street to close during the COVID-19 crisis. Back in April, the famed Sutter Street Grill made the decision to retire after several weeks of forced closure with the outbreak of COVID-19. COVID-19 restrictions have hit the Folsom Historic District extremely hard, forcing cancellation of many public events and presenting challenges to the concept of curbside pick-up for many."We knew this might happen, but when a business seems to do everything right and has a strong following and still can't remain open, it's very telling of the difficult times we are in," said Judy Collinsworth, the Folsom Historic District executive director. "Brian Knadle and his Moo Crew have been such a great asset in the district. Their food and drinks were fantastic and this was one of my favorite lunch spots."Collinsworth noted Knadle's engagement with the Historic District and his forward-thinking style."Brian is such a creative business owner and excellent chef. He was a previous board member of FHDA and he was always thinking up new fun ideas for the district. There's a big part of me that hopes he will open up another business here someday."The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the restaurant industry across the country. Locally, several eateries have closed for the long term if outdoor dining is not an option. Others have closed for good.Among those that are gone for good in Folsom include longtime icon Denny's on Riley Street. One of the two IHOP's has closed in Folsom, Burger IM on Prairie City Road is now vacant and Broderick was quick to close its doors. On the contrary, several new eateries have opened during the pandemic locally, including Folsom Dam Bar which is featured in this edition of the Telegraph, Coyote Bar and Grill, Reset Café and others. All businesses are relying on the support of their neighbors during these times, something Knadle was grateful for as he noted in his public statement upon closure."I hope all goodwill comes to those people, as they treated us with the utmost respect. I wish all good luck on their future endeavors in these trying times," he said. "The outpour of support has been monumental and words cannot put forth my gratitude. Please be safe out there and please remember to be there for one another. Times are tough."