'The living room of Lakewood Ranch' closes its doors

After more than 10 years in business, the owners of the Polo Grill and Bar have decided to shut their doors for good.

Tommy and Jaymie Klauber made the announcement Tuesday evening via Facebook and Twitter posts. The building's lease is ending and the couple chose not to renew it.

"Jaymie and I don't want to commit to another big rent. It's a big place and the rent is going up," Tommy Klauber said Wednesday. "We let the landlord (Schroeder-Manatee Ranch) know that we are not going to renew the lease.

"A lot of things go into the decision. SMR has been great. We love everything about Lakewood Ranch and the business. We've worked really hard to make it special."

On Wednesday, the tables at Polo Grill were set with water glasses and linens, but the lights were out, and signs on the doors advised visitors that the restaurant was closed.

"There were a lot of tears, mostly Jaymie's and mine," Klauber said of telling staff members Polo Grill was closing.

The Klaubers are assisting staff members as they attempt to find other jobs. Polo Grill had a staff of about 50 before closing.

There was no word from SMR on what business might enter the Polo Grill space next.

Although Polo Grill is closed, Fete Ballroom, which has hosted everything from the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance meetings to gubernatorial visits, will remain open through mid-May.

Events scheduled through Fete Ballroom's closing will be honored, and Klauber is assisting clients find new venues for those scheduled later in the year.

The 24,000-square-foot restaurant at 10670 Boardwalk Loop opened in 2007 and hosted about 900 events a year.

Jaymie Klauber once said she wanted the restaurant to become "a headquarters or a living room for Lakewood Ranch — where everyone goes for everything."

The closing comes abruptly. Polo Grill and Bar hosted an Easter brunch buffet on Sunday and, according to its website, a Sarasota band called Babyl was slated to perform at the restaurant on April 20.

Polo Grill and Bar celebrated its 10-year anniversary on Nov. 1.

"We feel so thankful we have had this opportunity," Klauber said. "We have had a great time here. Even during the Great Recession we were able to put smiles on faces. We are not disappearing. We have been working on things that we aren't ready to announce."

The closing caught neighbors by surprise.

"Wow, I am kind of surprised actually. I didn't know," said Alex Hernandez, owner of Cupcakes by Design, which shares a parking lot with Polo Grill.

"Sorry to see them go," said Don Baugh of Vanessa Fine Jewelry, another Lakewood Ranch Main Street business.

For more information on Polo Grill, contact info@caterfete.com.

This story was originally published April 4, 2018 at 10:35 AM with the headline "'The living room of Lakewood Ranch' closes its doors."