Bernadine’s, Hunky Dory to close

Patrons pack the bar at Hunky Dory. The owners of Hunky Dory and its sister restaurant Bernadine's announced the restaurants will close May 24.

Patrons pack the bar at Hunky Dory. The owners of Hunky Dory and its sister restaurant Bernadine's announced the restaurants will close May 24. Photo: Mark Mulligan, Staff Photo: Mark Mulligan, Staff Image 1 of / 80 Caption Close Bernadine’s, Hunky Dory to close 1 / 80 Back to Gallery

Two more major blows for the Treadsack group today: Bernadine's and Hunky Dory – the jewels in the hospitality group's restaurant collection – will close next week.

According to a Facebook post, the restaurants will close on May 24.

The Facebook post: "It is with great sadness that we announce the closing of Bernadine's and Hunky Dory. Our last service will be Wednesday, May 24th. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our amazing and hardworking staff and to you, our guests. We are grateful for your patronage over the last year. It has been a pleasure to serve you."

The social media announcement is the latest and most dramatic blow to the Treadsack group which has been struggling financially even before Mothership Ventures, LLC, the corporation that owns Hunky Dory and Bernadine's, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March. That news came after another Treadsack business, Foreign Correspondents, announced it was closing in December 2016, which soon was followed by the closure of the boutique bar Canard.

Then in January chef Richard Knight announced he was leaving Hunky Dory, which did not bode well for the chef-driven concept that shares the same roof Bernadine's (Bernadine's chef, Graham Laborde, was later named chef over both concepts).

Earlier this week another major setback: Laborde left Treadsack to take a position as operations chef for Ronnie Killen's restaurants.

Treadsack owner Chris Cusack declined comment.

The fate of what remains of the Treadsack group – Down House, Johnny's Gold Brick, and D&T Drive Inn – is unknown. Treadsack executive and director of operations Benjy Mason told HoustonFoodFinder.com that those properties are not affected.