Trader Vic’s to close, capping 7-day stretch of bad news for eateries

I know summer is the toughest time of year for Valley restaurants, but the pace of high-profile closings is getting scary.

Trader Vic’s, the Polynesian-themed throwback at Scottsdale’s Valley Ho, is the fourth closure announced in seven days. (The restaurant will remain open until the end of the month.)

Caffe Boa Bistro in Mesa kicked off the run last Wednesday, followed by Taberna Mexicana in Scottsdale and Spitfire Tavern in Tempe. Boa Bistro lasted less than two years; Taberna and Spitfire failed to last one.

Each had a unique set of circumstances, but all four were fairly pricey – making them a hard sell in a market ravaged by the recession as badly as the Valley.

On the plus side, Trader Vic’s at least is being replaced with a yet-to-be-unveiled concept.