According to the lockout notice D photographed, the restaurant owes over $26,000 in rent and operating expenses. Krstic told The Dallas Morning News on Oct. 2, 2026, that he had planned to close the restaurant on Sept. 30, 2026, the day the restaurant was locked out. Jim Lake, CEO of Jim Lake Companies, the restaurant’s landlord, confirmed they both agreed on that end date.
Lake describes the charges as the remainder of what Krstic owes, while Krstic says he owes nothing.
Regardless, Krstic called the closure “a smart business decision.”
“A weight has lifted off my shoulders,” he said.
Pillar was an American bistro that explored Krstic’s journey from Serbia to the United States. He ditched the idea to become an attorney after part-time jobs in restaurants became his full-time passion. Pillar was a homey place tucked in the Bishop Arts District — a walkable, vibrant neighborhood, though hot and quiet might have been better words to describe the past few months.
Krstic had more biting words to describe the area that he said “changed so much” in the approximately two years he’s been there. He said he often cleans up broken glass near the restaurant. While Pillar is known for its fried chicken with cornbread brioche entrée and sophisticated starters like beef tartare, Krstic said many of the customers in the neighborhood seemed to be looking for a younger, louder atmosphere.
“We were not fitting into the neighborhood,” he said.
Pillar had trouble keeping a general manager, with five cycling through in its short tenure, the chef-owner said.
Lake disputes Krstic’s criticism of the Bishop Arts District.
“When we see issues, we address them,” Lake said of his properties in Oak Cliff. He noted Pillar “has not been able to perform” but said neighboring restaurants like Oddfellows are doing well.
Perhaps to grab more attention for the restaurant, Krstic and his chef de cuisine Travis Hendricks were featured on NBC’s Texas Today in late September, about a week before the closure. It wasn’t enough.
Krstic hopes Pillar can move to another Dallas neighborhood, but no plans are set. He’s concerned D-FW is saturated with restaurants and that diners have too many options.
“There are way too many restaurants in Dallas right now,” he said.
Pillar was at 408 N. Bishop Ave., Dallas. It opened Dec. 8, 2024.
Dining and Cooking