Highbury Neighbourhood Gem Departs London On Its Own Terms

A north London gem heads further north as co-founders move away

Linden Stores, the Highbury wine bar that Laura Christie — Oklava, Kyseri, Oklava Bakery and Wine — and Chris Boustead — Opera Tavern, Ten Bells, James Cochran — opened in 2017, will close on 22 February, with Christie and Boustead moving away from London “back up north to be closer to our family and friends,” and, in their words, “taking Linden Stores with us.” Christie, who recently established Oklava Bakery and Wine with co-founder Selin Kiazim after closing Kyseri in Fitzrovia, is as central to that restaurant group as she is her own wine bar, and will be travelling between their new home and the capital.

Linden Stores “pour what’s open” wine approach and food menu with a Yorkshire-bent won it plenty of fans in Highbury — now it will close, unlike so many restaurants in this city, on its own terms.

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• Good tweet: