As the world turns in the restaurant business, the upcoming closure of Atlas Foods will come as no surprise to those who know it's been the least emotionally satisfying property for Peter Levy and Jeremy Hardy (who announced their business divorce earlier this year after 20 years in partnership). "We've never been a fit in a shopping center," says Levy, whose 10-year-old University Village restaurant is set to shut its doors December 31st following lunch service. With its lease at an end "we'd run our course," he says, adding that save for his employees, "I think it's a good thing for all parties."

Atlas Foods -- closing after a decade at U-Village [photo courtesy Chow Foods]

Staff was told about the impending closure in October, says Levy, now sole owner of the corporate entity known as Chow Foods. While some left soon thereafter, temporary hires have since taken their place. Among those who've worked at Atlas for more than 90 days, "there are only three or four people who've not been placed" at his other restaurants, Queen Anne's 5 Spot, Ballard's Hi-Life and West Seattle's Endolyne Joe's. (Hardy, now doing business under the corporate name Seattle Eats, got custody of the pair's Capitol Hill restaurant, Coastal Kitchen and also manages Mioposto in Mount Baker.)

On Wednesday, January 6, auctioneer James G. Murphy Company will be on hand to sell-off the contents of Atlas Foods, which -- Boom! -- will then be completely overhauled to make way for Boom Noodle, sibling to University Village's popular Blue C Sushi.

ETA for the debut of the latest Boom Noodle: June, says co-owner Steve Rosen, who notes that the closure of Atlas leaves a breakfast void in the Village he and his business partners are contemplating filling. "We're strongly considering a weekend breakfast component," one that would take a creative approach to the morning meal. (Dim sum, anyone?)