"After 60 years in business, Brennan’s Restaurant is calling it quits next month, with no plans to reopen. Co-owner Margaret Wade, granddaughter of founder John Brennan, cited a slew of reasons for closing the storied Berkeley restaurant: a looming 25 percent rent increase, global warming, and — somewhat surprisingly — a drop in cocaine use. The news began spreading last week and crowds quickly descended on the sports bar and hofbrau in horror and disbelief. Wade has no plans to open a new restaurant or bar elsewhere — she is getting out of the industry entirely. The business has changed significantly since she first learned about it, with shifts in drinking habits and climate change impacting operations. There will be no big farewell celebration, and the restaurant will keep serving until the scheduled closing date of September 15." - Janelle Bitker
