Welcome to 2025, yinz. The new year is starting off hot with highly anticipated openings — some of which have been more than a year in the making.At the same time, seven popular or longstanding local eateries have closed or are changing since our December check-in. From new coffee in the Cultural District to Station Square’s ambiguous future, here is an extra large portion of Pittsburgh restaurant news.ClosingsHard Rock Cafe is set to close in February. At the same time, Station Square property owners are facing calls for foreclosure after they defaulted on a loan. Photo by Roman Hladio.Hard Rock Cafe 230 W. Station Square Drive, Station SquareAccording to internal memos obtained by local outlet WTAE, Pittsburgh’s Hard Rock Cafe will close on Thursday, Feb. 13. Hard Rock is yet to make a public announcement about the closure. The American chain eatery joins Joe’s Crab Shack and Buca di Beppo, which both closed their Station Square locations in the back half of 2024.The revelation comes while Station Square’s future as a whole appears to be in flux. On Nov. 4, 2024, investment management company Wilmington Trust filed a complaint against Station Square — which is owned by Brookfield Properties — in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. The nearly 600-page complaint claims, in part, that the Station Square owners defaulted on a nearly $143 million mortgage payment in December 2023. Now, Wilmington is seeking foreclosure.The case’s most recent update came on Tuesday, Jan. 7, when Wilmington motioned to appoint a receiver — a third party to manage the property instead of the current ownership. In other documents, Wilmington puts forth local real estate firm Colliers.It’s unclear when those proceedings will begin.No matter what its future holds, Station Square is still home to the Grand Concourse, Yinz Coffee, Texas de Brazil steakhouse, an FA Climbing gym and a handful of other local and chain businesses.Atria’s 110 Beverly Road, Mt. LebanonThe original Mount Lebanon Atria’s closed on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, after 26 years under the ownership of the McDonnell Family.Joe Atria opened what started as a grocery store in the space in 1933. It later morphed into a bar and restaurant. In 1998, it was purchased by the McDonnell family, who also own Juniper Grill. They still own and operate the local chain.“Atria’s Mt. Lebanon has undergone a remarkable evolution, transitioning from a neighborhood beer garden to an upscale-casual dining restaurant,” a social media post announcing the closure reads.But the building won’t be vacant for long, and it won’t even lose the Atria’s name. Come February, 1930 by Atria’s will open, harkening back to the years immediately after prohibition, when Joe Atria’s store began selling beer. The new restaurant will feature a rotating menu of small plates and entrees, and will work with local mixologist Spencer Warren to constantly offer new craft cocktails. The McDonnell’s will maintain ownership.An opening date for 1930 by Atria’s has not been officially set. Follow the concept’s Facebook page or keep an eye on our Eat & Drink coverage for updates.Redbeard’s Sports Bar & Grill 201 Shiloh St., Mount WashingtonCloser to town, another business of 30 years closed ahead of 2025. The last full day of service for Redbeard’s in Mount Washington was Saturday, Dec. 21. “After months of sincere thought and consideration, I decided not to renew our lease on Shiloh Street,” owner Len Semplice wrote in a notice put up at the bar and restaurant and later posted on social media.The Downtown location of Redbeard’s remains open at 144 Sixth St.Luke and Mike’s Frontporch 235 Commercial Ave., AspinwallThis American restaurant in Aspinwall hosted its last day of service on Saturday, Dec. 28. Luke & Mike’s Frontporch announced the impending closure on social media on Friday, Dec. 13, but did not indicate why the 14-year run was ending.The address — including its liquor license and fixtures — is currently up for sale for $395,000.Photo courtesy of Bae Bae’s Kitchen.Bae Bae’s Kitchen 951 Liberty Ave., DowntownBae Bae’s, a beloved Korean restaurant in the Cultural District, hosted its last dinner service on Friday, Jan. 10. Famous for its fried chicken, the 7-year-old restaurant announced the closure on social media on Thursday, Jan. 2.While the dining room will no longer be open, the post notes that the kitchen will still cater office lunches and other events, and that Bae Bae’s Cafe — the brand’s breakfast and lunch spot next door — will remain open.McDonald’s at Pittsburgh International Airport 1000 Airport Blvd., Moon TownshipThe McDonald’s at PIT closed on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, local outlet WTAE reported earlier this year.On Monday, Jan. 6, an article from the Allegheny County Airport Authority’s Blue Sky News confirmed the storefront won’t be vacant for long — it’s currently being renovated to reopen as the Pittsburgh area’s second Shake Shack location.Shake Shack is set to open this spring.Brother Tom’s Bakery 808 Main St., SharpsburgIn May, Brother Tom Hartman posted a note on his bakery’s front door that announced the temporary closure of his shop while he battles cancer and other health complications.On Monday, Dec. 23, Brother Tom passed away. While the bakery’s website and Facebook page are still accessible, Google lists the business as “Permanently Closed,” and there’s been no announcement of what might come next for the storefront.OpeningsDe Fer Coffee’s newest location is in the Cultural District. Photo by Roman Hladio.De Fer Coffee & Tea 725 Penn Ave., DowntownDowntown coffee lovers rejoice! De Fer’s new Cultural District location hosted a grand opening on Wednesday, Jan. 8 — making it the third of the four former Adda Coffee & Tea House storefronts to reopen as other coffee shops.De Fer Downtown is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Tea Sanctuary 5432 Butler St., LawrencevilleAnyone else still trying to relax after the holiday season? Lawrenceville’s newest addition, Tea Sanctuary, might be your silver bullet.Located on the first floor of Sneha Yoga & Wellness Collective, the sanctuary invites patrons to slow down and practice mindfulness by brewing — and drinking — tea.Tea Sanctuary is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.Mi Cita 418 Beaver St., SewickleyIf you’re scheduling date night, it doesn’t get much simpler than making a reservation at a place called “my date.” The new craft cocktail and small plate spot opened on Thursday, Jan. 9.The website is still under construction and details are sparse, but know this: If deviled eggs, charcuterie and cocktails with flavors you’ve never experienced before sound like a good time, this place is for you.The Miso Mule is a softer spin on its sharp and bubbly Moscow counterpart. Umami flavors from the rice vodka, miso shrub and truffle tamari are accentuated by pops of sweet lime and plum. Ditch the liquor entirely for their nonalcoholic Chicha Morada — a citrusy purple corn drink.Mi Cita is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m.A Cuban sandwich on homemade Cuban bread. Photo courtesy of Milanes Mobile.Milanes Mobile All over townFood trucks aren’t usually top of mind amid snowstorms, but here’s an exception: Milanes Mobile hit the road earlier this month and is serving Cuban breads and bites across the region.Milanes doesn’t have a permanent schedule yet, but it does post upcoming visits to its Facebook page. This Friday, catch the food truck at Allusion Brewing Co.’s Allison Park taproom (1701 Duncan Ave.) from 5 to 9 p.m.Cafe Samarkand 3103 Banksville Road, BanksvilleJust outside the borough of Dormont’s limits is Cafe Samarkand, the region’s newest Uzbek restaurant amid other recent openings.The cafe’s Instagram page — currently its only form of online presence — does not clarify an exact opening date, but the account began posting menu items at the top of the new year and hasn’t stopped since.“At Cafe Samarkand, we’re all about serving up unique dishes inspired by rich culinary traditions while ensuring every visit feels like a warm embrace,” an introductory post reads in part.For updates, follow Cafe Samarkand on Instagram.Polska Laska’s new Sharpsburg storefront. Photo courtesy of Polska Laska.Polska Laska 1100 N. Canal St., SharpsburgAfter more than a year in the making, Polska Laska’s permanent storefront will open today — Thursday, Jan. 16.Owner Olive Beals announced she had purchased the storefront on Oct. 26, 2023. Now, her pierogies, soups, salads and more are available for takeout or eat-in dining through the space.The space will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Saturday, Jan. 18, for its grand opening. Next week, its regular hours will begin — Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours may change in the future; keep an eye on Polska Laska’s Instagram page.You can stop reading now. Go get some grub!The post What’s happening to Hard Rock and Station Square, plus more Pittsburgh restaurant news appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh.