Have you noticed any restaurants closing lately?
in my area 3 have closed within the past month..... man, this economy is doing a number on the restaurants.... it's so sad.
anyone else notice this happening in your area?
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16 Comments:
Short answer: Yes. And to add to the problems, voters turned down a bond issue that meant that we have no more bus service beyond our peripheral interstate, which means lots of folks like buspersons and nursing assistants will not be able to get to work. We're going to see all kinds of repercussions from that, which is also economy-related.
lemons at 8:49PM on 02/08/09
Yes, I have. It's sad to see. I don't dine out much, but my husband does frequently due to business contacts. As lame as it sounds, one of my biggest disappointments was due to a local sub shop that closed in my immediate area. Jreck's Subs just has the roll right and the overall proportions right to make a great sub. I think it may have been a combination of the economy along with the Super Wegmans with their eat in cafe that has hefty subs and attracts so many people on their lunch hour jand is just across the street, that did Jreck's in. The chain thrives in other locales. Just ask anyone in Canton, Potsdam or Fort Drum New York about their tasty menu.
I've spoken with caterers who have said their business has actually increased due to the fact that their clients are choosing to host whatever event in house, rather than soak up the cost of hosting an event at a restaurant. That must be hard times for restauranteurs with a large overhead.
Hey, pooch, how are the doggies? Our girlie got a much needed bath today and she was rewarded with some scrambled eggs and rice mixed together. How simple it is to please a wonderful dog. Just finished reading "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle." Have you read it? It's a hefty book, but such a good read!! And I thought about catching and cooking fish all through the middle of the book. And also about standing next to a loved one cooking together while mourning the loss of one so beloved. And jeez...a dog named Almondine??? A terrific book.
dhorst at 9:18PM on 02/08/09
There's one location in town that is a revolving door for restaurants. If I believed in curses, I'd say that location is cursed. No one can make it there. The one that's in there now never seems to be busy when we're in the neighborhood.
On the other hand, there are 2 other restaurants on the same block that have been here since before I moved here. Both still seem to be doing well, considering there's always a wait on prime dining days and times. The one we go to the most, we're usually there on Thursdays and we go a tad early. By the time we leave, there are people waiting for tables.
One restaurant moved off of that block because it needed a bigger space. So the old location is empty, but not because of a failure.
Hmmmm....I honestly can't think of any places that closed that were a surprise. There were a few startups that didn't last long, but they would have folded no matter what the economy. I think there's just a lot of turnover in the business, and a lot of people who get into it without having a clue. Some places seem like they're doing a great business, and they are, food-wise, but the business end doesn't match.
One place we really liked closed a few years after we moved here. The place was always busy, food was good, bar was always packed. But they hadn't paid their taxes for a long time. Oops.
dbcurrie at 9:35PM on 02/08/09
They seem to be going strong as ever at the places I go to.
I've seen a few high-end restaurants opening up and new Sonics (yay!) soon to be opening in the area. There is a Vietnamese restaurant that is rethinking opening because of the economy, though. So, perhaps, new restaurants aren't opening up as frequently as previous years.
Regardless of what night we've gone out and the type of restaurant, the restaurants are almost to capacity. We've gone out to eat every day and/or night for the past 2 weeks. Restaurants ranged from $12 - 50/person; Vietnamese, American, deli, steakhouse, Japanese, Korean, pub, bbq, Indian, Thai, Lebanese, Mexican; lunch and dinner (5:30 - 9:30 p.m.). Of course, Friday, Saturday, Sunday nights when we leave, there are usually anywhere between 10-30 people waiting at the front to be seated versus Monday - Thursday nights where there are sometimes 2-3 tables open.
I have also noticed that Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are packed these days so people are also cooking at home, or buying prepped foods from their cases...
Cassaendra at 9:44PM on 02/08/09
We have a few restaurants that should close, but probably never will, because the hicks in this town consider their offerings "good food".
buffy at 10:00PM on 02/08/09
I live near Albany in upstate NY. While there are new restaurants just opening (PF Chang and Cheesecake Factory - someone please tell me what cheesecake has to do w/ ancient Egypt, Art Deco and Provencal design? That combo is how this place is outfitted. Great food, but just an odd... interior...), there are at least 5 restaurants that have folded recently along Wolf Road (one of the major shopping areas outside the city itself), and I think 2 or 3 more suddenly folded a few months ago in Crossgates, a largish self-contained shopping mall also just outside of Albany proper. Even a couple of Albany-area diners have shut their doors recently!
Robbo at 10:01PM on 02/08/09
Sign of the Times? Lots of Restaurants Closing in My Area
Adam Kuban at 10:04PM on 02/08/09
@lemons- I'm in the same city, and I noticed so many restaurant closings. very sad.
(I'm also furious about propM failing!)
hmw0029 at 10:45PM on 02/08/09
I live near Rhinbeck, NY, a traditional place for CIA graduates to open small restaurants post-graduation as it is just up the road from Hyde Park.
Although the townspeople have sophisticated, even aspirational taste, I've seen three restaurants close in town--all inependents, non-chain, with decent offerings.
I actually visit my favorite restaurant a little mosr often because I couldn't bear for it to fail.
annien at 1:28AM on 02/09/09
@dhorst - no apologies necessary - losing your Jreck's is a bummer. I live over the border in Ontario and have frequented the Jreck's in Odgensburg NY. My American born husband introduced me to them and I agree that they are great. I sure hope the one there survives (haven't been over the border since the Cdn dollar tanked).
Maureen at 10:00AM on 02/09/09
Oh I see places folding all over the place. I am also seeing these 4/5 star places having these wicked good prices at happy hour for food and drinks that they never did before. Also they are doing gimmicks that they never did before. Buy a entree dinner receive a voucher that the next dinner is on the house and get a bottle of wine of choise 1/2 off.
pjracz10 at 3:16PM on 02/09/09
@dhorst! hey there, i'm so sorry to hear that your favorite sub place closed.... the big gobbling up the small guys..... now that's a way to dumb down people's palates. my poochies are great, thank you, and your girl just got a bath? hope she doesn't get too muddy, it's a melt down here -- but maybe not up there..... that book sounds good, i'll have to check it out, due for a new read....
@ db - i know what you mean about cursed places....can feel it the minute i walk through a door.
@ lemons - now that's the saddest news i've heard, people not being able to get to their jobs..... are we in a 3rd world country now?
@annien - i bet i know which 3 you mean! i'm right near by.....
what's the world coming to?
pooch at 10:12PM on 02/09/09
I posted 'bout a month ago. This amazing italian restaurant we frequented(like 2x a month) closed. Word in the neighborhood is that they are moving, but, no info so far. This was my "go to" place when I wasn't sure what my clients ate. There was something for everyone. I am soo sad
donnie at 11:52PM on 02/09/09
Everything is closing down in my town, Merced, CA...even with a 'Brand New' University that opened up 5 or 6 years ago....besides half the Chinese restaurants, also my favorite sub sandwich place. Not food, but Mervyn's, Linen & Things, Circuit City have all closed within the last 4 months....Gottschalks is on it's way out, also. Dining in this town sucks wads!!!!!! The one good thing is that there is a new Sushi restaurant opening soon, I hope I get in there before it folds. What's left, Taco trucks and Mcdonald's, LJS, and plenty of sad pizza places!!!
lamora at 11:57PM on 02/09/09
Our Extreme Pizza closed here in The Woodlands, TX :( Sucks because it was better than normal chains.
I agree with the pickup in finer grocery store traffic. Hubbell and Hudson (similar to Whole Foods) here in TW does a steady business, as does my husband's Sur la Table. People are forking the $ out right and left for good cookware to eat at home. Big investments, but truly a lifetime investment.
dharmon at 5:13PM on 02/11/09
@Maureen- where are you located in Ontario? I spend a lot of time in Ogdensburg in the summer,but I look forward to going to Brockville for Don's Fish and Chips.
dmcavanagh at 5:38PM on 02/11/09