Chapleau’s salad days over

Tony Berry is getting ready to pack it in at Chapleau Restaurant, the small lunch spot where he has served customers for almost a quarter century.

The last day the restaurant, 853 Laguna Canyon Road, will be open is Saturday.

Chapleau’s is one of the few year-round eating places on Laguna Canyon Road, where business traffic is dependent upon the seasonal art fairs such as Sawdust Art Festival and Art-A-Fair, which are within easy walking distance on both sides.

Locals have a soft spot for the small, pub-like place, where you can get chili or a large salad at a reasonable price, hunker down around a huge communal oak table and watch TV.

Chapleau’s is named for Howard Chapleau, who opened the eatery 30 years ago. Berry took it over 24 years ago, and expanded it into what had been a next-door pool hall.

Berry, 73, says he can’t afford to pay a rent increase recently imposed by his landlord of 16 years, Gary Sauter.

“It upsets me,” Berry said. “I feel he’s pushing me out.”

Some customers of Berry’s are rallying to try to save the establishment. Petitions to “Save Chapleau” have garnered some 250 signatures.

Berry says he’s been informed there’s nothing he can do about the rent increase.

Some accuse Sauter of driving the small eatery out, but Sauter says he really wants the restaurant to stay.

Berry admits that business at the restaurant has declined from its heyday in the early 1990s, when several restaurants and nightspots thrived in the area.

“The fire and the flood drove people away,” he said. “There used to be many residents in the area, but the canyon never recovered from the flood and fire.”

Christopher Brazelton, owner of the Gallery of Wearable Art, a studio and boutique across from the Chapleau, is sorry to see Berry go.

“He’s an icon in the community,” Brazelton said. “We’re all in shock. It’s the only business that actually brings people to the complex.”

Some fear that rising property values and rents in Laguna Beach are forcing out smaller businesses like Chapleau’s, but Sauter believes Berry’s situation is different.

Sauter says it’s time that Berry retire and enjoy life.

“He’s a great guy and he’s worked hard all these years to serve his customers,” Sauter said. “Hopefully Chapleau’s will continue and will still be a lunch place.”

Sauter hopes to find someone to take over the business, which includes beer and wine service, from Berry.

“I’m trying to help him find a buyer,” Sauter said. “It’s an opportunity for someone.”

The shopping complex that includes Chapleau’s is in the Civic Arts District that city officials have been seeking to develop with more arts-related businesses. But Sauter says that the bureaucracy is moving slowly, and that’s not helping the businesses in his complex.

“The city has a great plan for the Arts District, but they need to be more liberal with their approvals in order to support it,” Sauter said. Specifically, he feels a height increase to allow two-story structures ? instead of the current one-story maximum ? would boost businesses and lead to construction of more live-work artist units.

“Height is not that big of an issue in the canyon, and no views would be obstructed [by taller buildings]”, Sauter said.

Anyone interested in the Chapleau Restaurant should call Sauter, (949) 721-9229.cpt.28-chapleau-CPhotoInfoGP1QCU5920060428iyczcincDON LEACH / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Longtime proprietor Tony Berry has been forced to close Chapleau’s Restaurant after a rent increase. Berry sits at the huge dining room table, a famous neighborhood gathering spot for artists, mountain bikers, and locals.