Oakland falafel restaurant permanently shutters after 11 years - SF Gate

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  Liba, located at 380 17th St. in Oakland, permanently closed on June 10 after being in business for 11 years.

  Liba, located at 380 17th St. in Oakland, permanently closed on June 10 after being in business for 11 years.

  Photo: Gizelle Q. On Yelp (L)/ Amy M. On Yelp (R)

Photo: Gizelle Q. On Yelp (L)/ Amy M. On Yelp (R)

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Liba, located at 380 17th St. in Oakland, permanently closed on June 10 after being in business for 11 years.

Liba, located at 380 17th St. in Oakland, permanently closed on June 10 after being in business for 11 years.

Photo: Gizelle Q. On Yelp (L)/ Amy M. On Yelp (R)

Oakland falafel restaurant permanently shutters after 11 years

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Liba restaurant had recently reopened for takeout and delivery following months of temporary closure, but after a brief trial period, the owner of Oakland’s falafel and vegetarian restaurant decided to close the 11-year-old business for good.

Known for its falafel salads and sandwiches, Liba closed its doors for good on June 10.

“We could not tolerate going into debt all over again…when faced with the uphill climb of operating during Covid,” owner Gail Lillian wrote on the restaurant website.

ALSO: SF's Buena Vista Cafe looks to weather the COVID storm as restaurants reopen

Lillian wrote on Instagram that her business had lost thousands of dollars when it shifted from dine-in to takeout and delivery service on May 22. Liba had been temporarily closed since March 14 – just two days before Alameda County set mandatory shelter in place orders.

During the two-week period it reopened, Liba had offered a variety of menu options that included grain bowls, salads, grilled pita sandwiches in addition to sauces from a family pantry section.

According to an Instagram post, Lillian said that the restaurant’s debt had been paid off in 2019, but that Liba had “struggled “financially for years.” It’s unclear if Lillian has plans to reopen at a different location at this time.

Liba got its start in 2009 as a food truck, and the brick and mortar outpost opened in 2014. The food truck was discontinued in 2016.

ALSO: Bay Area restaurant owner explains why he reopened - and then shut down again

“I’m heartbroken to give up my role as a restaurant owner - it’s an amazing club to be a part of, especially in Oakland.”

Liba is located at 380 17th St. in Oakland.

Susana Guerrero is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: Susana.Guerrero@sfgate.com | Twitter: @SusyGuerrero3

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