Chef Steven Schultz has closed his restaurant in Plaza Palomino, but it's not clear if the closing is temporary or permanent.
A note on The New Red Sky and Luna Bar website stated that the restaurant at 2990 N. Swan Road would be closed for several weeks "out of concern for your safety and comfort" due to construction at the shopping center.
"I apologize for the inconvenience, and look forward to being able to serve your dining and entertainment needs in the near future," said the note, signed by Schultz.
Schultz did not return phone calls Wednesday or Thursday seeking comment and could not be reached. Officials with R7 Real Estate, the east-side shopping center's California-based management company, said they had not spoken with Schultz.
"He's a good guy; he's a great chef. We honestly don't know what happened," said property manager Karinna Cassidy. "The attorneys are talking to each other, but we have no idea what's happening - if he's closing, if he's relocating or if he's going to work for someone else."
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Scott Douglas, a principal with Plaza Palomino's new owner, West Coast Capital Partners, said Schultz is substantially behind in his lease. Douglas would not elaborate and did not want to comment further because he said the situation could end up in litigation.
West Coast Capital Partners took over ownership of the mall in late December after foreclosing on former owners LNR Partners LLC. In early May, the company embarked on a $3 million-plus renovation project that includes a new parking lot, new walkways and enhanced decks, and new signage.
Douglas said none of the work is being done near Schultz's restaurant.
"Ultimately the ownership has gone to great lengths and the tenants will be very happy with the end result," said Anna Martinez-Ross, Plaza Palomino's spokeswoman and tenant liaison.
"There's going to be some growing pains, but they are doing a phenomenal job. ... When it is complete, I am very confident the (tenants) will be very happy."
Although the nearly four-year-old restaurant is closed, its catering arm, Red Sky Catering, is still taking events, according to an employee who answered the phone Thursday.
The New Red Sky and Luna Bar was the marriage of Schultz's Italian restaurant, Luna Bella, which he opened in late 2008, and the remnants of his French-California fusion eatery, Red Sky Café, which also had been located in Plaza Palomino. He closed Red Sky two years ago after filing bankruptcy; Luna Bella was not part of that filing.
Schultz, a Tucson native and former chef de cuisine of the now-closed Ventana Room, opened Red Sky Cafe at 1661 N. Swan Road in 2000 and moved it to Plaza Palomino in 2005.
Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@azstarnet.com or 573-4642.
