Bantam Kitchen & Cooler is closing after more than five years in business.
Owners Joe and Kate Wood posted “A Letter to our Community” on Friday afternoon, June 5.
The announcement comes two months after relocating its eastside restaurant to west Redding and the opening late last year of its location in the Redding Public Market.
“This is not an announcement we ever imagined writing. Like many small business owners, we built this restaurant with equal parts passion, hope, hard work, and faith. Along the way we took risks — some that led to growth, some that taught us hard lessons, and all of them taken with the belief that we were building something meaningful. While those risks helped us accomplish things we are incredibly proud of, they have also brought us to a point where continuing to operate is no longer financially possible,” the letter said.
The Woods went on to thank their customers, vendors and the community for their support.
“While this decision carries sadness, it also carries peace. We know it is time. As we say goodbye , we do so with immense gratitude for everything we have gained, respect for everything we have lost, and appreciation for every person who became part of this story,” the Woods said.
Commenting under the post, longtime Redding restaurant and hotel owner Ed Rullman lamented about how challenging the industry has become, and also wished the Woods well. Rullman operates the Best Western hotel and C.R. Gibbs American Grille on Hilltop Drive.
“It’s a tough business and getting tougher every day. Prices are sky rocketing and labor is expensive and difficult to find. For 50 years I have watched this industry suffer through hard times. Nothing like today, though. I wish you the best for your future. I know you put your heart and soul in Bantam,” Rullman wrote.
About two hours after Bantam’s goodbye letter was posted, Redding Public Market on its Facebook page announced that “a rare opportunity in the Redding Public Market has emerged.”
The post asked for feedback, “What are you craving? What’s missing in Downtown Redding.” Among the choices are poke bowls/sushi, Hawaiian BBQ, Mexican street food, Indian street food, and Jamaican & Caribbean BBQ.
Bantam opened on Hartnell Avenue in August 2020, five months into the COVID pandemic and seven months after Kate Wood gave birth to twins.
Joe Wood created most of the recipes, smoked the meats on site, and made the spice mixes, rubs and sauces for their meats.
The Woods opened Honeymoon’s Kitchen in April 2025 inside the former Moonstone Bistro space in the Placer Heights shopping center in west Redding.
But they closed Honeymoon’s Kitchen five months later in September 2025. The Woods said the closure was temporary and would rebrand the business.
Eventually they decided to move their Hartnell location to the west side. Bantam on the west side opened in late March.
David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly “Buzz on the Street” column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Bantam Kitchen in Redding in emotional letter says why it’s closing
Reporting by David Benda, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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By David Benda, Redding Record Searchlight | USA TODAY Network
