Tracy Schuhmacher

@RahChaChow

A restaurant that served up workforce readiness and entrepreneurial skills alongside Caribbean soul food has closed at the Village Gate, but its owners hope the program has not served its last meal.

The nonprofit Rochester Youth Culinary Experience (RYCE) is a collaboration between Aaron and Kelly Metras, owners of Salena’s Mexican Restaurant and part owners of Nox Craft Cocktail Lounge, and the culinary program at East High School. Students participated in every aspect of creating the restaurant that opened in February.

The nonprofit organization took on $100,000 in debt, backed by Aaron and Kelly Metras, to open its doors. The expectation was that the restaurant would be self-funded after the opening. Instead, business peaked in March and then declined. It was losing $2,000 to $3,000 per week, and sales numbers were decreasing. On many nights, the restaurant was serving just two to three tables.

"We’ve reach a point where we can no longer financially sustain the operation," said Aaron Metras. “We couldn’t justify going further."

Metras had hoped for more consistent support from the community.

"A lot of people do care," Metras said. "Sometimes it's frustrating that it’s just not enough.”

More: Student-run eatery serves up Caribbean fare in Village Gate

The couple decided to close the doors of the restaurant and see if they can find another way to salvage the project.

“It may not be as self-sustainable as a model as we had hoped it would," Metras said.

The program was making a positive impact on the students' lives, Metras said. Students were going to classes in order to maintain their eligibility to participate in the program. They were coming to the restaurant hours before scheduled shifts and on days where they weren’t scheduled to work, because it was a safe, comfortable place. Tutors were on site to help the students with schoolwork. The restaurant had implemented community dinners on Monday nights in which local restaurants would cook for the students, who could invite friends, family and neighbors in order to build community.

Their business plan was based on their experience with regular restaurants. As a result, it underestimated the amount of education and training necessary to get students up to speed and overestimated the interest of the public, Metras said.

“"We went into it with rose-colored glasses on," said Metras. "We thought that we’d be packed all the time.”

"I guess it’s hard to know what you’re going to need when it’s never been tried," Metras said.

The owners told the students the news of the closure on Monday.

“It wasn’t a great meeting," Metras said. "They were pretty disappointed. It means a lot to a lot of them. There were definitely some tears shed. It’s tough.

"At the same time, there’s a business lesson for them in this too. Some businesses don't work out. "If the plan you had going in isn’t the right plan, you need to stop and readjust and see if there’s a way to make it work.”

TRACYS@Gannett.com

More:Student-run eatery serves up Caribbean fare in Village Gate