As Neighbor Rotisserie readied to open for business on April 4, there were no indications the day would be its last. As the clock ticked toward 11 a.m., Katie Lipson waited on the restaurant’s porch with her toddler. She hadn’t yet heard news of the restaurant’s closure, an announcement posted to social media on April 2.

“I love Neighbor. I’m sad that they’re going to be closing,” she said, adding that some of her go-to menu items were The Quagmire sandwich ($17) made with slow roasted pork shoulder and grilled broccolini on ciabatta from M’s Bakery and The Kimmy ($14), a bowl made with quinoa, hummus and crispy chickpeas.

The rotisserie chicken restaurant has closed approximately 10 months after its May 29 opening, when long-time business partners Jay Junkin and Parker Vaughan introduced the concept, which they said was inspired by the French rotisseries of the Provençal countryside.

Junkin and Vaughan, who have worked together for about 18 years, are also the owners behind Blue Eyes Burgers and Fries and former owners of Jackson’s Corner. They could not be reached for comment on the closing of Neighbor Rotisserie.

Efforts to stay afloat

The building on Newport Avenue had big shoes to fill, as it was formerly home to John Picarazzi’s Mediterranean restaurant, Kebaba.

Neighbor Rotisserie’s original concept embedded Mediterranean flavors into sauces and side dishes, a nod to the former restaurant. Its plates were meant to be enjoyed family-style, such as a whole rotisserie chicken ($25) ordered alongside a salad and a plate of French fries.

Over the past 10 months, the restaurant employed a handful of strategies to stay afloat, including rolling out a new menu during the slow November shoulder season, which included The Kimmy and The Quagmire. In February, it introduced new small plates, such as a colorful salad with roasted beets, pistachio chutney and blood orange ($7).

It also hosted pop-ups in partnership with Flosa’s Barbecue, a Bend barbecue concept by chefs Jordan Grosser and Mark Goodger, with the most recent event on March 24 serving beef cheeks with chimichurri and frito pie.

In the announcement posted to social media, the owners thanked customers for their patronage.

“We are so thankful to those of you who have supported this new venture with us. This journey has been filled with incredible moments, delicious meals, and, most importantly, our amazing community,” it said. “Thank you for your love, loyalty, and support this last year.”