(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A historic church-turned-restaurant and bar has announced it will close the restaurant and pivot the business to an event center model in the fall.
The Carter Payne made the announcement on Facebook on Monday, July 29.
“It is with humble gratitude for your support over the last 7 years that we announce the imminent closure of The Carter Payne as a restaurant,” reads the Facebook post. “As for anyone making a choice to end something they have loved and labored for, this choice is not made lightly.”
The Carter Payne is a unique dining experience inside what was once the Payne Chapel AME Church at the corner of South Weber Street and Pueblo Avenue. Built in 1897, the historic church-turned-restaurant maintained the reverent aesthetic, with beautiful vaults overhead and arched windows.
According to The Carter Payne’s website, the intention behind the building remained as it transitioned into a restaurant: “A place to gather, to celebrate, to meet your neighbors and make friends.”
In addition to the beautiful architecture and ambiance, the restaurant also offers a brunch and dinner menu as well as three separate bars, Local Relic Artisan Ales, Crusade Wine Bar, and Araucana Bespoke Cocktails, and an event center in the lower level.
However, after seven years serving the Downtown community, The Carter Payne will close its doors as a restaurant, though it is not the end of the business. The Carter Payne announced in its Facebook post that the restaurant will close on Sept. 1, 2024, and become an event center–an endeavor in which owner Jeff Zearfross and chef Brent Beavers already have experience.
“We are focusing on creating a space that is fun, community-driven, and sustainable,” the announcement reads. “We will host events as small as two and as large as we are allowed. But we are also going back to beer dinners, theme dinners, and other events that point us back towards our community, the season, and most importantly, enjoying our work.”
The Carter Payne thanked its restaurant staff and the community for seven years of memories and dedication and invited everyone to come and visit the restaurant before its final day on Sept. 1, and watch The Carter Payne’s social media for details on a “pivot party” in the works for the last week of August.
“We appreciate every one of you who have raised a glass or broken bread in our space, and we look forward to hosting you at other events in the future.”
