SYRACUSE, NY -- Clark's Ale House, which debuted in 1992 as one of the first bars in Central New York to focus on high end craft and imported beers, is for sale.

If a buyer is not found, the bar will close Nov. 1, when the current lease for the space at the corner of South Salina and East Washington streets is up, said ale house founder Ray Clark. John Funiciello, president of building owner JF Real Estate, confirmed that Clark's has opted to terminate the lease by that date.

Clark's opened at the Salina Street location in November 2014, four years after it had shut down its original location at 122 W. Jefferson St in the Landmark Theatre building. During its 18-year run on Jefferson Street, it was frequently listed in travel guides and beer publications among the best beer bars in America.

The reopening was eagerly awaited by long-time ale house fans. Since the reopening, however, it's been plagued by slow sales, in part due to a surge in the number of competing craft beer-centric bars downtown and a lack of nearby parking, Ray Clark said.

After the reopening, Ray Clark turned ownership of the bar over to his father, Doug Clark, who is best known as the founder of Doug's Fish Fry in Skaneateles. Though Ray Clark designed the concept for the reopening, he has played virtually no role in its operation in the new location.

Clark's built its reputation on its beer list -- which jumped from 22 taps to 32 taps in the new location -- and on its commitment to having no TVs, no background music and a limited menu centered on its roast beef sandwich.

Many of the regulars who made the original Clark's a success have moved on, started families and just don't go out as much as they used to, Ray Clark said. Some never got used to the new place.

"I want to thank all our regulars who helped make Clark's such a great place in its day," Clark said. "I apologize to them if it hasn't lived up to their expectations in the new location."

Clark said his father, who is now 72, decided not to continue with the bar. "It's a young man's game and he's ready to get out," Clark said.

The Clarks are looking to sell the business, furnishings and equipment, much of which was purchased new for the 2014 reopening, Clark said. If no buyer comes forward, they will close and sell the equipment at auction.

A buyer would need to negotiate a new lease, Funiciello said.

Clark said he tried to persuade the city to open 11 nearby parking spaces on South Salina Street, but has had no luck.

He is also still upset about the 2010 closing on Jefferson Street, which was prompted by the renovations at the Landmark Theatre, owner of the space.

Aside from the closing itself, Clark argues the renovated theater has not done enough to add shows and attract visitors downtown, which would have helped his new location a few blocks away.



"The spent $17 million (on the theater renovation) and we really have nothing to show for it," he said.

Don Cazentre writes about food, beverages, restaurants and bars for syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Contact him by email, on Twitter, at Google+ or via Facebook.