Bridge Street shutting down (Huntsville: station, gas, grocery)

[Dirt Grinder]

Originally Posted by CoreLysium

...I don't think the ROI would work considering the rent.

Exactly - therein lies the problem.

[Maya Blue]

Originally Posted by Dirt Grinder

That's a bit of a "Catch-22" situation.

It definitely is.

The rent is high so the menu must be able to cover the high operating costs. If the menu is full of "cheap" items the restaurant must have high-volume sales. I don't think those locations can guarantee consistent high-volume sales at any price-point.

They should probably split those locations in two.

[bmrisko]

What makes you think it needs to be a cheap place? Connor's, Cantina Laredo, PF Chang's and Bar Louie all seem to be doing great business right now and they aren't exactly cheap. Also, there is a parking lot in front of the Westin that is a very short walk away from the restaurant's location before anyone says "OMG, it is too far to walk!"

[Maya Blue]

Originally Posted by bmrisko

What makes you think it needs to be a cheap place? Connor's, Cantina Laredo, PF Chang's and Bar Louie all seem to be doing great business right now and they aren't exactly cheap. Also, there is a parking lot in front of the Westin that is a very short walk away from the restaurant's location before anyone says "OMG, it is too far to walk!"

I'm not saying it has to be. But the one's who have been there have not been of great quality for the price. That is why Connor's and the others do well. They also have name recognition. The others did not.

However, considering the clientele that walk through that part of BS and the theater, going with something like a casual quick serve, IMO, would work very well right there.

[elephant08]

Originally Posted by bmrisko

What makes you think it needs to be a cheap place? Connor's, Cantina Laredo, PF Chang's and Bar Louie all seem to be doing great business right now and they aren't exactly cheap. Also, there is a parking lot in front of the Westin that is a very short walk away from the restaurant's location before anyone says "OMG, it is too far to walk!"

OMG, it's too far to walk

[SamirD]

Originally Posted by Maya Blue

Not there. You actually need something that is cheap enough to get the kids who go to the theater to eat there. That, IMO, is the #1 reason why restaurants fail in those two spots across from the theater. Something like a Qdoba or a Garbanzo's would do very well there.

Another reason that they might be failing is that the competiting restaurant inside the theatre is very good. The chef cares about his food (he even walks around often and 'checks' on his guests), and the price is very reasonsable for the quality. Hard to compete with that when you've got 5-digit rents.

Originally Posted by Dirt Grinder

That's a bit of a "Catch-22" situation. The rent is high so the menu must be able to cover the high operating costs. If the menu is full of "cheap" items the restaurant must have high-volume sales. I don't think those locations can guarantee consistent high-volume sales at any price-point.

Exactly. I don't understand why BS management can't figure this out.

Originally Posted by Maya Blue

I'm not saying it has to be. But the one's who have been there have not been of great quality for the price. That is why Connor's and the others do well. They also have name recognition. The others did not.

Both Ketchup and Dolce were very good restaurants. I ate at the Ketchup in West Hollywood to compare, and it was the same food. That location has been there for better part of a decade.

We had my brother's engagement dinner at Dolce. Not only was the menu very well done to our likely, but the food was fantastic. Doing business with them was a rather odd affair as it took a week to have to 'sign' and electronic document vs just bringing in a check for the deposit.

These were both managed by the same group of restauranteurs, who have many successful restaurants in the US. It's just not a well set up location/demographic combination. Either they need to raise the disposible income of the customers or lower their rents. In a tough economy like this, it's hard to see which will be easier.

Originally Posted by elephant08

OMG, it's too far to walk

LOL!

[RegaeBusRider]

OMG! This thread reminded me of the restaurant in theatre. It has excellent sushi and service.

[SamirD]

Originally Posted by RegaeBusRider

OMG! This thread reminded me of the restaurant in theatre. It has excellent sushi and service.

Sushi is definitely some of the better stuff available in the city. I've found the service can be hit or miss though. Sweet potato fries are awesome! Burger is good too!

*walks to kitchen now that he's hungry*

[Dirt Grinder]

Originally Posted by SamirD

Sushi is definitely some of the better stuff available in the city...

Really? You think their sushi is better than the authentic Japanese restaurants?

[BMW Dave]

Originally Posted by Dirt Grinder

Really? You think their sushi is better than the authentic Japanese restaurants?

Everything I have ever had at Monaco has been awful. The burger came out over cooked, another time I got the crab cakes, which were packaged and seemingly microwaved before being served to me. I really can't describe how awful they were. It was like biting into a birds nest.

The sushi is just ok. Better than buffet 88 ( I assume ), BUT nothing like Edo or I <3 Sushi or Tokyo.