Fall River’s Bun Buds Closing Despite Strong Community Support

Unfortunately, another hot dog joint has bit the bun.

Bun Buds, the downtown Fall River eatery known for its creative dumplings and extremely long gaggers, has announced it will be closing its doors on Saturday, October 4.

Owner Jake Weiss shared the news in a heartfelt message on social media, explaining that while the restaurant has enjoyed strong support, the personal demands of running the business have led him to step away.

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A Summer Project That Became Much More

Weiss, who started Bun Buds alongside a partner and his college professor, originally intended for the business to be a “killer summer project” to test out entrepreneurship. What began as an experiment, however, grew into something much larger.

“I never could have imagined how far it took me,” Weiss wrote. “The truth is, this stuff isn’t easy. I’ve missed a lot of parts of my life due to the commitment this takes. Relationships have ended, family time has been missed, and friendships have been ruined. At the end of the day, my job is to keep my chin up and flip the sign to open. I am so incredibly proud of what my team and I have created together, now I am ready to step away and move on to my next stage in life.”

Closing Despite Strong Support

Unlike many restaurants forced to shutter in the wake of COVID-19, Bun Buds’ closure isn’t about a lack of customers. Weiss emphasized that the restaurant remained profitable, but the personal sacrifices outweighed the ability to continue.

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“One thing I did want to share, maybe for my own pride or maybe because it is a good selling point, is that we are lucky to be closing for reasons that aren’t about a lack of customers,” he said.

A Turnkey Opportunity

With the decision to close, Weiss is now actively looking for a buyer. The restaurant space, located on Purchase Street, comes fully equipped and ready to run.

“It’s profitable, ready to go, as turnkey as it gets,” Weiss explained. “I have a fantastic lease thanks to the incubator program, and it would be incredible to see someone carry on the Bun Buds world we’ve created.”

While talking with Weiss, he was adamant to mention he wants Bun Buds to continue.

“I would love to see the business continue to thrive under someone else, and I truly hope the right buyer is out there," he said.

Grateful for the Community

Despite the bittersweet decision, Weiss expressed immense gratitude for the people who supported Bun Buds from day one.

“I have always been grateful for the people who came in out of their way when we were the new spot in town who didn’t know if we would be worth their money or not. I’m grateful for those who told their friends, and I’m grateful for the friends who came because of that,” he shared.

“The hardest part about walking away from this is without a doubt knowing that the chapter in my life full of all of you is coming to an end," he said.