Owners of a Fresno restaurant and music venue near Woodward Park have decided to close.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Nykole and Bob Sullivan announced Sunday was the last day for Starving Artist Bistro, citing rising operating costs and personal reasons.

“We had many wonderful years serving some of the best food in Fresno,” the Sullivans wrote. “When Covid nearly did us in with labor and food shortages, we struggled and rallied. However, since then, the rules, regulations, and laws that have been imposed on the restaurant industry over the last many years (along with horrible inflation and continuing food and staff shortages) have broken us. We simply cannot maintain the quality of food and service our customers rightfully expect.”

Starving Artist Remembered

Starving Artist opened 12 years ago, not only as a burger eatery, but as a place for artists to display or perform their works.

“Over 2,200 individual performers have entertained on our stages. More than 260 works of art from local artists have been sold,” the post stated.

The post garnered 166 comments and 62 shares. Diners remembered their times eating and watching performances. Musicians remembered their gigs there.

“My band, Paris On Fire, had the opportunity to perform here this last weekend and we are fortunate we did,” wrote Kay Noelle. “Everyone was so welcoming and gave us a sense of comfort.”

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Sullivan’s Daughter Operates Rocket Dog

In October 2023, Bob Sullivan’s daughter Bre bought gourmet hot dog restaurant Rocket Dog on East Shaw Avenue near Blackstone Avenue. Bre Sullivan bought the restaurant from the owners of Summer Fox Brewing.