Troy

Daisy Baker's, housed for the past 40 years in the historic Christian Science building downtown, is out of business.

Restaurant owner Jared Horton couldn't reach a lease agreement with the building's new owner, Sonny Bonacio, who according to Horton sought a significant increase in rent and an earlier closing time for the restaurant.

On Monday, Horton confirmed what many had feared: A burst water pipe that destroyed the restaurant's kitchen just days before Christmas also sealed Daisy Baker's fate.

"We regretfully announce that we will not be reopening," Horton said in a prepared statement. "The Bonacio team tried their best to help us reopen, but we simply could not offer them the type of establishment that they are looking for."

Horton blamed lack of action at the time of the flood by the previous owner for the prolonged closing.

The four-story brownstone at 33 Second St. was owned by Sandy Horowitz. The developer had acquired a portfolio of downtown Troy buildings before he ran into financial difficulties and eventually filed for bankruptcy protection.

SEFCU foreclosed, then sold the building to Bonacio, who hopes to develop apartments in the upper floors. He couldn't be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

"It was an unfortunate set of circumstances that led to Daisy's closing," Horton's business partner, Bruce Fleshman, said in the prepared statement. "Business was good."

Horton owns the restaurant name, and, although he has no immediate plans, said he would consider the possibility of reopening Daisy Baker's elsewhere if a suitable space became available.

The restaurant has been closed since the Dec. 19 water pipe break. Another restaurant, Bacchus Wood Fired, has remained open on the lower floor of the building.

eanderson@timesunion.com • 518-454-5323