Up the Creek in Oakleaf (Jacksonville, Springfield: coupon, lease, house)

[jrmutley]

I thought to post this in the recent thread about Panera opening in Oakleaf. But, then I figured it would get a little more play if I started a fresh one.

For anyone who frequents the Oakleaf area, it is obvious that Up the Creek is hurting. The lot is rarely more than half full while Chili's seems to be always busy. We've eaten there on several occassions. Can't say that I've ever had a bad meal. Nothing has ever blown me away either, though. Pretty much...mehh.

All of that said, I thought that I recently overheard a lady in Publix say that our soon-to-come La Nap is going into the Up the Creek building. On the one hand, it makes sense due to their lack of business. On the other, I'm not so sure. They are still advertising in some of those coupon mags and I've received emails from them.

Regardless of what I have thought of their food, I would prefer that UTC survives and La Nap opens somewhere else in the Center. The more dining options we have, the better for the area. Then again, if UTC ends up closing it probably is better that another establishment might pop right into the building.

So, are there any Oakleaf people out there who know more about this than I?

[KerryB]

I hate to see any businesses like this close shop, but I honestly just dont think there's enough of a market these days to sustain a bunch of those typical "neighborhood bar & grill" type restaurants in one area. They basically have to pack the house consistently for them to stay in business & its just gotten too expensive to eat in them.

Way over-saturated market those have become & seems like people are preferring a nice mixture of smaller establishments with "fast food like" prices & more variety instead of just a couple big bar & grills with drive thru's making up the rest.

[wb3690]

I've also heard that UTC is going to be gone and La Nop is going to open there. I think that the "rumor" is that UTC won't be renewing it's lease in December and we'll get La Nop there. And according to that same rumor if UTC renews the lease La Nop will end up somewhere else in the towncenter or over by the publix phase two. Personally I'd like more than less restaurants. It just looks better. I've only eaten at UTC twice and well wasn't blown away. It isn't somewhere I'd be excited to go back to. I have heard they serve breakfast and people don't want it to go because of that, but well we don't go eat breakfast out very often either. I have

I just ate at chili's the other night because of our touchdown club meetings and they are really supportive of the kids and the school.

[fsu813]

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2010-08-09/oak-leaf-town-center-restaurant-abruptly-closes

Up the Creek Grill at the Oakleaf Town Center has closed.

"Up the Creek Grill is officially closed. In today's economy it was not reasonable for us to continue operating," read an an email sent to customers just before 6 p.m. Monday.

The closing of the seafood and steak restaurant came just three days after another email offered patrons $10 off the purchases of two adult entrees. Similar emails offering discounts were distributed in previous weeks.

The restaurant, located at 9734 Crosshill Blvd., opened nearly 2 years ago at Oakleaf Town Center, home to SuperTarget, Home Depot, Kohl's, Ross, OfficeMax, PetsMart and numerous restaurants.

The email continued to say that owners had "made an agreement with La Nopalera to take over operations immediately." La Nopalera is expected to open by Sept. 1, the email said. "... We would hope you would support them in their new endeavor. Many of you know La Nopalera for they have a great reputation in the Jacksonville market. We feel this will be a great addition for the Oakleaf community and we wish them success."

Up the Creek Grill was one of just three full-service restaurants at Oakleaf. Osaka Japanese Steakhouse and Chilis are the others. Several fast casual and quick service eateries are located at Oakleaf, including Five Guys Burger & Fries, Moe's Southwestern Grill, Panda Express, McDonald's, Chick-fil-A and others.

The email from Mitch Murray concludes: "It has been a pleasure serving you and wish you the best. I have developed personal relationships with many of you and will miss that dearly. I wish you all the best in life and all of your endeavors."

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Wow.

THAT's what you have to look forward to when living in random Suburb 101, in Anywhere USA:
Osaka Japanese Steakhouse, Chilis, Five Guys Burger & Fries, Moe's Southwestern Grill, Panda Express, McDonald's, & Chick-fil-A.

A bunch of monotone, non-descript, gut-busting national chains and 1 decent independent restuarant...La Napolera.

Throw in a CiCi's Pizza, Longhorn, and Olive Garden and you have yourself a Steppford paradise.

[KerryB]

Originally Posted by fsu813

Wow.

THAT's what you have to look forward to when living in random Suburb 101, in Anywhere USA:
Osaka Japanese Steakhouse, Chilis, Five Guys Burger & Fries, Moe's Southwestern Grill, Panda Express, McDonald's, & Chick-fil-A.

A bunch of monotone, non-descript, gut-busting national chains and 1 decent independent restuarant...La Napolera.

Throw in a CiCi's Pizza, Longhorn, and Olive Garden and you have yourself a Steppford paradise.

Could you BE anymore smug?? Seriously, I agree with you, but there's ways to do things without coming off that way & insulting people. Different strokes, dude.

BTW, stop acting like you're some kind of know-everything urbanite there living in Springfield. If you think that's "urban", you've obviously never been in a real urban environment. If fact, there's really nothing in Jax that could truly be called that if you wanna know the truth.

[wb3690]

I'm happy La Nop is coming out here by us......stepford or not! LOL

[fsquid]

well, they could have 6 subpar sushi restaurants like five points does.

[SandmanSand]

This past Saturday night the parking lot was full at UTC. They have been pushing coupon deals, I myself bought some off restaurant.com for $10.00 & $25.00 off when you purchased so much total in food. I have 3 printed still, never used them so it's trash time for them now. Luckily I only paid a few dollars for them, they "were" supposed to be good for 1 year.
La Napolera will do good there, they have good food, and it'll be closer to go to.

[KerryB]

Originally Posted by fsquid

well, they could have 6 subpar sushi restaurants like five points does.

Yup, and a downtown that closes up shop at 5pm. And what is there, like a grand total of 3 places to eat in Springfield with some of the better ones cutting back their hours recently? I'm just saying, with a lineup like that, some shouldn't be so quick to throw stones. Probably not a good way to get people into the downtown/uptown areas (which I am a big fan of BTW).

[joninclay]

Originally Posted by fsu813

THAT's what you have to look forward to when living in random Suburb 101, in Anywhere USA:

Is there NOT a thread you cannot suck into your "Urban vs. suburban" paranoid rants? Good grief, jackwagon, LET IT GO already!