Max’s on Broad restaurant closing, will relaunch as new concept

Max’s on Broad, the fine dining European restaurant on Broad Street in downtown Richmond, has announced it will be closing.

“After almost 10 years in service, we have decided to close our doors on April 1,” the restaurant posted to social media.

Liz Kincaid, owner of Max’s on Broad at 305 Brook Road, said she will close the restaurant for renovations and a rebranding and hopes to relaunch it sometime in the summer.

“We found with the pandemic, the neighborhood has changed quite a bit around us,” Kincaid said. “The crowd [in the restaurant] is definitely younger. We’re seeing a lot more travelers.”

Max’s on Broad was originally opened by Ted Santarella in 2013 as an upscale downtown dining location for French and Belgian fare. Kincaid was the general manager and became an owner after Santarella died.

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Liz Kincaid, owner of Max’s on Broad, plans to close the restaurant on April 1 for renovations and a rebranding and hopes to relaunch it sometime in the summer. Kincaid, CEO of RVA Hospitality, also owns nearby restaurants Tarrant’s and Bar Solita, as well as Tarrant’s West in Henrico County.

Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch

With RVA Hospitality, Kincaid also owns nearby restaurants Tarrant’s and Bar Solita, as well as Tarrant’s West in Henrico County.

“We used to see a lot more people driving in from the surrounding counties, but not so much anymore,” Kincaid said.

While she cannot offer specifics on the new concept, she said it will trend younger for the neighborhood.

Liz Kincaid, owner of Max’s on Broad, cannot offer specifics on the new concept, but she said it will trend younger for the neighborhood. 

Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch

Right now, she said she’s most concerned with finding jobs for the staff with other RVA Hospitality restaurants or elsewhere.

“It’s a bittersweet time. It’s been such a wild, exciting ride. We have so many memories here,” she said. “We have a couple coming for dinner who met and fell in love at Max’s. They had their rehearsal dinner here.”

But Kincaid said she is looking forward to the future and staying in the Arts District.

“We’re excited for the rebrand and to invest long-term in this thriving area,” she said.

Seen in 2017, the second floor of Max’s on Broad overlooked Broad Street. The restaurant was originally opened by Ted Santarella in 2013 as an upscale downtown dining location for French and Belgian fare. Liz Kincaid was the general manager and became an owner after Santarella died.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND, Times-Dispatch PHOTOS: Max’s on Broad over the years

Violinist Quinton Folks performed at Max’s on Broad during the Mozart Festival, which Classical Revolution RVA holds every April in Richmond’s Jackson Ward.

Maelyn Cable

Max’s on Broad.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

Seen in 2017, the second floor of Max’s on Broad overlooked Broad Street. The restaurant was originally opened by Ted Santarella in 2013 as an upscale downtown dining location for French and Belgian fare. Liz Kincaid was the general manager and became an owner after Santarella died.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND, Times-Dispatch

Max’s on Broad at 305 Brook Road on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

BY KARRI PEIFER Richmond Times-Dispatch

Pear and arugula salad is on the menu at Max’s on Broad. Photos taken Thursday, January 16, 2014.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

Escargots is on the menu at Max’s on Broad. Photos taken Thursday, January 16, 2014.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

Filet Mignon Oscar is on the menu at Max’s on Broad. Photos taken Thursday, January 16, 2014.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

Ted Santarella, owner of Tarrant’s Café, is the driving force behind Max’s on Broad. 

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-dispatch

Mike Ledesma, executive chef at Max’s on Broad, holds moules (mussels) and pomme frites.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

The second floor of Max’s on Broad has two rooms that overlook East and West Broad Street.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

Vines decorate the wall leading up to the second floor of Max’s on Broad.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

Ted Santarella, owner of Tarrant’s, opened up Max’s on Broad.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

Ellen Bucher, bar manager at Max’s on Broad, takes a drink order.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

Max’s on Broad has a long list of Belgian beers.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

Colleen Curran (804) 649-6151

ccurran@timesdispatch.com

@collcurran on Twitter

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