Iron Hill chain's abrupt closing shows restaurant industry's fragility

Six years ago, when Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant at the Wilmington Riverfront unveiled more $1 million in renovations to freshen up its interior, the future looked very bright for the company.

The 10,000-square-foot restaurant at 620 Justison St., parked on the Christina River and one of the anchors of the Riverfront since its 2003 opening, was considered the chain's crown jewel.