"Ketchup" closing at Bridge Street??? (Huntsville, Madison: hotel, gym)

[33458]

Originally Posted by djmaxwell

Agreed. Baja Fresh beats out Chipotle any day. We are headed up that way this weekend. May just have to stop in for a fix.

I looooove Chipotle - that's my version of 'fast food'. Like Subway but better. It isn't real Mexican, but the guacamole is fresh. It isn't a real restaurant. It's a place to eat when you aren't dressed or funded for a real restaurant and don't like/want greasy hamburgers.
Have not had Baja...husband eats there on business trips to Cali. (Might have tried it in Atlanta? Do they have one there?)

Melting Pot...used to drop a lot of cash there. Will again when daughter gains enough patience.

HB...Fresh grilled seafood. You had to say it...

[autobahn]

Details:
Bad economy, food issues combined to ruin Ketchup - al.com

[DavidH74]

Thanks for the link.

That al.com article mentions that 11 other kate spade boutiques are closing other than ours. I would like to know which other locations are affected...just out of curiosity.

As many have said, it's no surprise ours is closing and that it underperformed. But, there are only 46 locations in the US. If the article is true, closing 12 will take the company down to 34 US locations. That makes one wonder if all/most of the boutiques will eventually close / and it makes one wonder about the overall state of the company.

I always question the "value" of such boutiques. Take a market like ATL -- you can get kate spade at most Belks I'm sure, either of the two Bloomingdales, a few of the Macys, one of the three Nordstrom stores, Saks, Neiman Marcus, and probably at countless local boutiques. You have to wonder if an actual kate spade boutique isn't "redundant". I'm sure there are things that you can't find at the department stores, but overall, it's essentially the same collections. Thinking of a brand like Lacoste, I've always gotten a better deal at Belk Parkway Place than at an actual Lacoste boutique. And, sometimes, the selection is even better.

Just random blabbering. Anyone know the other 11 kate spades that are affected...?

[april4jsd]

I think maybe a Fish Market- like Birmingham has- that might give some variety. I just fear that Bridge Street will be a street to the Westin and Monaco...soon

[A&M Bulldawg]

RUmor has it that a Cheesecake Factory may consider a spot under The Station. Is this true?

[DavidH74]

I know where you saw that. I'm not sure I trust that info.

A friend of mine is the Assistant GM at the Cheesecake in B'ham -- he's up for a promotion. There is zero talk of one coming here. I bring up his position b/c he's willing to relocate for it...HSV is not in the plans.

[E Limestone Dude]

No way Cheesecake factory comes to Hville.

Please understand these businesses you dream of require POPULATION. Huntsville is only a mid-sized city.

[DavidH74]

Yeah...nothing is impossible. But, for one, Cheesecake is not opening new locations right now. But, more importantly, someone who has a mgmt position at Cheesecake who discusses relocation options with the district manager at least monthly, is more in-the-know than a general rumor on another forum. Again, there's NO talk of a HSV location. None.

[DavidH74]

I don't even get the appeal of a Cheesecake, personally. Of course, I'm one of very few who doesn't get the appeal of PF Chang's either.
I've had both numerous times and am always more than underwhelmed.

[A&M Bulldawg]

What's the difference of a Cheesecake Factory coming to a metro of 1 million with people who don't really care for it to a metro of .5 million who want to have one? Wouldn't anyone choose B? I say this because many people from Huntsville want a Cheesecake Factory. If Huntsville has a Dolce, it can support a Cheesecake Factory which isn't as up-scale as Dolce.