Russo Orleans - Gone (Johnson City, Kingsport: apartments, rental, lofts)

[dreamofmonterey]

I agree with both...such a disappointment Picassos is gone, there's nowhere in JC to get good fresh seafood !!!!!(red lobster is a cheap chain)I truly wish some of the reactionary city officials would realize how much money they are losing....In my neighborhood retired profs. And drs,etc... drive to asheville to get a decent meal (the reason Earthfare came here)...I am so NOT kidding, the downtown needs revamping, I'm sure Frieberg's is doing well (they always look busy) the area cries for improvement.

[rccrain]

Originally Posted by JoshB

Glad to see they still have the downtown location open.

Apparently not! http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News...e.php?ID=71595


The article mentioned that the downtown Russos has closed, but it is being replaced by "local business owner Jamie Dove" who will "open The Main Street Pizza Company — which could be in business by December".

Good luck to The Main Street Pizza Company. I hope it operates much like the Kingsport Grocery Company.

[ljay42]

Speaking of on site beer, I would love to see a chef pair up with Michael over at Depot Street and open a mid-price restaurant using local products. Is there a local winery we can throw in that mix?

[jabogitlu]

Wow, won't be the same without Russo's. It was here when I moved here and has seen some good positive change in downtown.

I hope an upscale pizzeria works well. One of the last paragraphs is funny though. Do these guys know that foot traffic is as important as, or more important than, vehicular traffic in a downtown core???

[mbmouse]

That article is a crock though hahahahha. He had the tenant BEFORE Russo's closed, lets just say that new tenant is the reason Russo's closed.

[rccrain]

Originally Posted by ljay42

Speaking of on site beer, I would love to see a chef pair up with Michael over at Depot Street and open a mid-price restaurant using local products. Is there a local winery we can throw in that mix?

From a quick google search:

A
Countryside Vineyards & Winery‎ - more info »
658 Henry Harr Rd, Blountville, TN‎ - (423) 323-1660‎
1 review - Write a review
"I just came back from a very enjoyable visit to this beautifully located ..."
B
Corey Ippolito Vineyard Bed and Breakfast‎ - more info »
533 Rogers Oakdale Private Dr., Blountville, TN‎ - (423) 323-1241‎
Write a review
C
Abingdon Vineyard & Winery‎ - more info »
20530 Alvarado Rd, Abingdon, VA‎ - (276) 623-1255‎
Write a review
D
Mountainrose Vineyards Inc‎ - more info »
10439 N Reservoir Rd, Wise, VA‎ - (276) 328-2013‎
Category: Winery
Write a review
E
Banner Elk Winery‎ - more info »
Deer Run Rd, Banner Elk, NC‎ - (828) 898-9090‎
Write a review
F
Wolf Creek Winery & Vineyards‎ - more info »
21281 Lake Rd, Abingdon, VA‎ - (276) 676-0980‎

[rccrain]

Originally Posted by mbmouse

That article is a crock though hahahahha. He had the tenant BEFORE Russo's closed, lets just say that new tenant is the reason Russo's closed.

Oh really, will Russos re-open elsewhere?

[ljay42]

Thanks RC - I'm not a wine drinker so although I thought I remembered seeing one or two, I didn't recall their location.

[mbmouse]

Originally Posted by rccrain

Oh really, will Russos re-open elsewhere?

Not sure yet, but if and when they do I will post where and when, might be a few months though.

But it sure looks to me, after reading that article, that someone is trying to blow smoke about how well downtown JC spaces rent. Seems like it was the plan all along.

[jabogitlu]

That was kind of the feeling I got, as well, even before your posts mouse. We'll see how well those loft spaces rent. The hard truth is, and the fact remains that, "renovated downtown" Johnson City consists of a few buildings on Main and Market. I'm not sure if these developers have ever been to other cities (um even Kingsport) to see what a downtown is, but...

... I've been saying it forever, but I'll repost it for the hell of it. City leaders have *got* to find a way to work with developers to bring jobs to downtown. Removing the downtown center was a HUGE mistake. Allowing the continual bleeding of services into North Johnson City is a HUGE mistake. It looks good on paper and right now but at some point the city's going to be paying for it (and downtown is right now).