Dark Horse Inn To Close But Owners Will Ride Again

A respected Excelsior-Crocker Amazon business is set to close early in the new year.

The Dark Horse Inn has served the community craft beverages and comfort food since 2011. Partners Andrea Ferrucci and Sean Ingram set out to provide the neighborhood with a go-to place for quality beer and food. But the pandemic set them back.

“We definitely haven't recovered,” Ferrucci said. “This whole neighborhood is not recovered. Everybody's sort of struggling to get back to the way things were or just even back to a point where it's sustainable.”

Deciding to close didn’t come lightly. Aside from the slow recovery since 2020, other factors have played into their decision: parts of the building falling apart and the price of supplies, labor, rent and other essentials going up. What’s more, their lease ends next year. Ferrucci predicts their last day will be in late February or early March.

“It’s my other watering hole,” said Miles Escobedo, owner of Ocean Ale House. “I love it. Those guys are just incredible. They’re one-of-a-kind human beings. I mean, how do I feel about it as a small business owner? I feel for them.”

Vacating their storefront won’t be the end of The Dark Horse Inn. Ferrucci said their interim plan is to continue their food pop-ups at other small businesses and events like Tala Wine or neighborhood block parties. Eventually, they hope to reopen a physical location in the area with their Type 87 license, a special neighborhood-specific liquor license.

For partners Jenny Starks and Jessica Morton, who started going to The Dark Horse Inn 13 years ago, having the bar and restaurant in the neighborhood has brought a sense of community and care to that stretch of Geneva Avenue.

“They’re a neighborhood gem and the fact that they’re leaving is a detriment to our entire community,” Starks said.

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Ferrucci encourages the community to visit for a drink and keep an eye on their social media and website for announcements.

“Right now, especially with everything that's happening [with the election], just everyone be nice to each other and support each other,” Ferrucci said. “Go out to your small businesses even if you feel like staying in bed and crying.”