THE RUMOR HAS been circulating for the last couple of months and now it’s been confirmed. The Marq, Marquette’s highly regarded farm-to-table restaurant, is closing down after a five year run.
It’ll shut down at the end of September.
The official announcement was made via a Facebook posting on Thursday night:
“Thank you to all the support we received from the community, especially our regular patrons and investors. A special thank you to our local farmers, for it’s your work that inspires us. It was our beloved farmers that allowed us to cook the level of food we served. It is an honor to have relationships with people of this incredible farming community, and we look forward to supporting them in our future creations. Though deeply emotional, this transition is a necessary step in the manifestation of product in deeper alignment with Austin’s passion….”
Austin is Austin Fure, the chef and a partner in The Marq. The posting speaks of a “new endeavor” for Fure but doesn’t say what that will be.
The Marq is renowned for its exquisitely prepared, locally-sourced meals.
The closing is a major loss for foodies of Marquette. Not only because The Marq did its utmost to serve locally sourced foods, but because Austin is regarded as one of the finest chefs in the U.P.
The menu has always been limited, and late-arriving diners were sometimes disappointed to learn that certain menu items had already sold out for the evening.
The schedule for The Marq during September will change. “Burger Night” will continue on Tuesdays, but then it will be open only on Thursday through Saturday for four course, set price meals.
What happens next at The Marq’s location next to the Children’s Museum is uncertain.