Great Barrington — It was business as usual on Wednesday at Riverbend Café on Stockbridge Road, as loyal customers reacted to owner Lindsey Tuller’s announcement that the popular café will be closing its doors on October 15th. In a telephone interview, Tuller acknowledged “an overwhelming response, in a good way, from customers, locals, and even many who have moved away [about] how [Riverbend] will be missed.” When asked what precipitated her decision to close, Tuller cited “the real reason is time.” She went on to explain, “[It’s the] end of the busy season, nobody is looking to buy [the business], and I need a life change.”

The notoriously squeaky door slammed at a steady pace as customers came in to get what has become a coveted selection of organic smoothies, juices, wraps and coffee. “I am devastated,” said 13-year customer David, who spends three months in the Berkshires each summer. “[This is] literally my favorite place in the Berkshires,” he said, “[and I ] don’t know what it will be like coming next summer without it,” he added. “People are super sad,” said manager Meghan Naylor, of Sheffield. “This is an institution, open for 18 years, with much of the same customer base as we had in the beginning,” she said while adding a pumpkin, apple, frozen yogurt, and cinnamon smoothie to the specials board — a nod to how the seasons are in fact changing.

Riverbend Café originally opened its doors on November 1, 1998 as Uncommon Grounds, a business created by Mark Pruhenski and Melissa VanSant. Tuller managed the business for 2 ½ years before it was passed on to her in January 2003; it was renamed in March 2011. An Alford native Tuller, 37, recently expanded her business sights, opening the Berkshire General Store on North Street in Pittsfield in November of 2015. She and business partner P.J. Hunt, a California native, will continue to operate the Pittsfield location, a convenience store featuring Boar’s Head deli meats, locally roasted coffee, Gifford’s ice cream, Blue Q gifts, greeting cards and more.
A Stockbridge resident, identified only as Ryan, stood waiting for his marinated teriyaki tofu panini during Wednesday’s lunch rush. When asked for a reaction to the closing, he volunteered, “[I’m] bummed…this [kind of place] doesn’t really exist in South County and I will miss the soy berry blast smoothies and breakfast specials and nice people,” he said. His sentiments reverberated through the tight knit space. “It just seems like everybody is down about the news,” said Kellsey Guidi, an employee for seven years, who cited the friendships she developed with her coworkers and regular customers over the years as what she will miss most about her job.

Courtney Kimball, who has been working at Riverbend for just over a year, is looking at the glass as half full. “At first, I was super upset [by the news], but I am optimistic about taking this opportunity to go on to bigger things like going back to school,” something she put off due to enjoying her job so much. And Tuller shares these sentiments. As for what’s next? Tuller said she plans to “take time to figure out what I want to be doing next…and that might not be the restaurant business.” Tuller, who has a background in the fitness industry, might try to get back into training. She is Tabata Boot Camp Certified, FMS (Functional Movement Systems) Certified and RKC (Russian Kettlebell Challenge) Certified. In short, as was the case at Riverbend, her menu of options is diverse.

A convivial atmosphere, friendly staff and bucolic, grassy grounds overlooking a bend in the Housatonic River made Tuller’s establishment a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike. Over the weekend, there will be a notebook for customers to share their favorite Riverbend memories; beginning Monday, Tuller will be featuring a different, discounted special each day to celebrate the cafe’s closing and to give back to her vast community of supporters. Riverbend Café, located at 403 Stockbridge Road, will remain open as usual through October 15th; their hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m., Saturday 8-5 and Sunday 8:30-3.