Some unfortunate news tonight — The Burn has learned that Delirum Cafe — a stalwart of the downtown Leesburg scene — is closing its doors.
Local restaurateur Curtis Allred, owner of Delirium, says this Friday, March 1, will be the final day.
Allred — who’s always been an open book about the ups and downs of the restaurant business — added that as soon as the decision was made, he alerted his staff members — who he says are like a big family — so they could start searching for new opportunities.
“We simply haven’t been able to generate the revenues to support the costs,” Allred told The Burn. “These folks have worked with me through bounced payroll checks, shorted menus, pandemics, you name it. I cannot express my gratitude enough for these people who’ve worked with me to make the dream become reality.”
Allred says he was meeting with potential investors and attorneys as recently as last week, looking for ways to stay open. But none of the options proved viable.
The closure of Delirium means that the recently opened Gringo Gordo empanadas shop will also be looking for a new location.
Gringo Gordo shares a space in the same building as Delirium. It’s a side project that Allred has going with the Gringo Gordo company out of Winchester.
Meanwhile, his Blue Oven Pizza mobile truck will find a new commercial kitchen and continue operating, according to Allred.
“I started this thing here in downtown Leesburg so that I could be close to my family as my kids grew up while still starting a business,” Allred said. “We opened here because this is our hometown, and because the downtown is timeless.”
Since 2017, Delirium has occupied the building at the southwest corner at the intersection of South King Street and Loudoun Street. It’s a prime spot in the center of the downtown dining and retail scene.
“We’ve watched this downtown go through a huge transformation that will continue long after we’re closed,” Allred added. “I’m excited for the future of my community, for my team’s growth beyond our business, and I hope that time will look favorably on our blip in it. Hopefully, someone will put another awesome business in on this corner and take it the next step that I could not.”