Three downtown Chandler restaurants abruptly close

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

Three downtown Chandler restaurants, all tied to a single ownership and management, all permanently closed at the end of business Saturday, Aug. 29.

Tipsy Egg, The Uncommon and Recreo Cantina all closed that day, with a manager telling the blog Mouth by Southwest that other types of concepts will be going in the same spaces.

The Uncommon, on the prominent southeast corner of Arizona Avenue and Boston Street, was a lunch-and-dinner diner and bar that was part of both a revitalization of downtown restaurants and its bar scene. The Tipsy Egg was the breakfast-hours companion adjacent to the south of The Uncommon.

Recreo Cantina, which re-branded in early 2023, was focused on Mexican cuisine and cocktails and was along the row along San Marcos Place, south of Santan Brewing, across from Dr. A.J. Chandler Park.

All three restaurants opened within about six months of each other in 2022.

“One last night. One last toast,” management wrote on The Uncommon Facebook page last week, leading up to the Aug. 29 finale. “Chandler, you’ve given us one hell of a ride ... To our incredible team who helped us get across the finish line — thank you. And to everyone who walked through our doors, packed the bar, celebrated with us, played a game, raised a glass, or simply made The Uncommon part of their night — you made this place what it was. Thank you, Chandler, for being part of our story.”

The Tipsy Egg and Recreo’s social media pages had similar promotional and appreciative messages this week.

Mouth by Southwest reported Niels Kreipke of Desert Viking Development owns the buildings that house all three restaurants, and he’s also a co-owner in each of the businesses themselves.

On Aug. 27, the blog reported Chris Purcell, who manages several concepts on behalf of Kreipke, said additional projects are planned for downtown Chandler “in late 2026 and early 2027,” with more details to be announced, but didn’t specify the reason for the closures.

Purcell told Mouth by Southwest to “stay tuned for announcements” about what’s coming to the three Chandler spaces next.

Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.