Legendary restaurant to close for good in weeks after 18 years and customers called it the 'best'

Dec 17, 2023

AN iconic restaurant in Las Vegas will be shuttering for good after 18 years of serving the city.

Customers have been shocked to find out that Fleur, a beloved steakhouse located at Mandalay Bay, will be officially closed by the end of the month.

Fleur made its start on the strip in 2005 as Fleur de Lys.

It was a Vegas version of chef Hubert Keller's San Francisco restaurant, and it became well known to locals and visitors alike for its decadent steaks and delicious pasta.

The San Francisco Fleur was seen as one of the best fine dining restaurants in America at one point.

Since its inception, customers have flocked to try the Las Vegas outpost.

Fleur de Lys changed over the years, however, becoming just Fleur by Hubert Keller. The second variation was more casual, with a constantly updated menu of French meals.

Keller left the restaurant entirely in 2021 after a year of restaurant struggles related to the coronavirus pandemic.

That was when MGM Resorts bought Fleur and put it under new management, but the sales troubles were far from over.

Around two years later, Fleur is saying goodbye to customers for good.

A new restaurant will replace the now vanishing Fleur, but it is unclear yet what the new concept will be.

In recent years, more restaurant competition has popped up along Mandalay Bay.

Retro by Voltaggio, which was run by Top Chef stars Michael and Bryan Voltaggio, opened earlier this month.

And a sports bar called Flanker Kitchen will be taking up a new lease as well, officially opening June 10.

Customers have not responded well to the news that Fleur will be gone forever.

"My wife and I splurged on Fleur in Mandalay Bay back when Hubert Keller was still involved," one fan wrote on Twitter. "Probably the best meal I've ever had."

Fleur is not the only restaurant that's struggling to keep up profits as consumers face high inflation.

Hundreds of chains and independent stores across the country have fallen victim to a phenomenon being dubbed by some experts as a retail apocalypse.

High inflation on goods in all sectors has forced many shoppers to reel in their spending.

Fine dining concepts like Fleur are one of the most likely to suffer during a Recession-like period, as consumers are more likely to put their money towards budget-friendly dining experiences.

But even more affordable restaurants are facing the heat in the uncertain economic environment.

Applebee's has projected that anywhere between 10 and 20 locations will close by the end of the year.

"It's not where we want to be in the future," said Applebee's president Tony Moralejo.

Fast-food joint Burger King also shuttered 26 locations in April after a franchisee failed to pay royalties and ad funds.

Last year, 27 locations across Minnesota, Utah, Montana, Kansas, Nebraska, and North Dakota also shut down.

Discretionary purchases on household items, clothing and groceries are diminishing as well.

This is reflected by the bankruptcies major retailers are announcing as they plan closures at stores nationwide.

For instance, Bed Bath & Beyond announced plans to shutter nearly 400 stores after filing for bankruptcy.

All 360 locations, as well as 120 Buybuy Baby stores, are set to shut down by June 30 unless the company can find a buyer in the coming weeks.

Beloved discount chain Tuesday Morning is also shutting down hundreds of stores months after filing for bankruptcy.

Tuesday Morning said its business would need to be restructured to tackle its exceedingly burdensome debt.

It only operates 480 units despite having 700 stores in existence just three years ago.

A beloved tailor shop is also saying goodbye to shoppers after nearly 40 years of business.

And Hard Rock Cafe is shuttering locations in big U.S. cities.