Let’s try this again.

Capital Q Smokehouse in Albany, closed since mid-December, after 12 years in business, for what was initially announced as a permanent closure and then as a vacation, will in fact reopen with the same name and same chef-owner, Sean Custer. The projected re-emergence is late January, Custer tells me.

The short answer for what happened is that, for the second time in six months, Custer had a near-certain succession deal shot out from from under him. In April, a young operator was so close to finalizing a purchase to take over Capital Q that he had already moved his family to Albany, Custer says, but was unable to secure financing to buy both the business and the building, at 329 Ontario St. Further negotiations collapsed. Then, in November, another purchase seemed imminent, with the intended buyer planning to keep the barbecue concept but change the name. Thus Custer’s announcement of a mid-December closure of Capital Q.

But financial problems arose again. Custer tells me: "That deal has been put on hold temporarily. In the meantime, I intend to resume operations towards the end of January, with limited hours and a streamlined menu. My personal situation remains the same, and I still intend to move to Germany to be with my wife, just not as soon as I had hoped. Anyone interested in helping me do so is more than welcome to contact me."

For updates and to join the discussion visit the Table Hopping blog. For a weekly roundup of restaurant news and a sneak peek at our upcoming dining review, sign up for the Table Hopping newsletter.