McGrath’s Fish House closes in Medford – Medford News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News

Building purchased by another company with local eateries

After 27 years, McGrath’s Fish House in Medford closed this week. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune]

After more than two and a half decades in south Medford, a local seafood mainstay has closed.

McGrath’s Fish House at 68 E. Stewart Ave. closed this week, according to a voicemail greeting left by the chain’s founder John McGrath. It marks the end of a restaurant open since March 1996.

“After almost 30 years in Medford, Oregon, we can no longer sustain a viable business,” McGrath states in the greeting, adding that the building was sold to another restaurant operator.

Thomason Investment Properties paid $1,695,000 Sept. 14 for the 7,394-square-foot dinnerhouse, according to Jackson County property records. The company operates six Elmer’s restaurants, six Pita Pit restaurants across Oregon, Taprock in Grants Pass and Human Bean locations in Grants Pass and Roseburg.

A message left with Thomason was not immediately returned Friday afternoon.

McGrath’s message directs anyone with unredeemed gift cards to email the restaurant at [email protected].

The closure wins the Salem-based chain founded in 1980 down to two locations: one in Salem and another in Vancouver, Washington.