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I wish them luck but quite frankly they will probably not make money there. The neighborhood has changed drastically the last few years. I just don’t see the audience for a sports bar/pizzeria here.
In the past 2 years alone, Gennaro’s, Mike’s Diner, Villa Monte and the Excelsior Grand (all well established SI businesses with long time followings) have shut it down as people continue to flock to NJ, NC/SC and FL.
I wish them luck but quite frankly they will probably not make money there. The neighborhood has changed drastically the last few years. I just don’t see the audience for a sports bar/pizzeria here.
In the past 2 years alone, Gennaro’s, Mike’s Diner, Villa Monte and the Excelsior Grand (all well established SI businesses with long time followings) have shut it down as people continue to flock to NJ, NC/SC and FL.
I disagree. I think they will do very well. The market demands a spot like that. Mike's Diner has been closed for a while. I am still not sure why they closed. Villa Monte was replaced by another Pizzeria. The Excelsior Grand's ownership is getting up there in age, they own another very successful catering hall in NJ, and were at a crossroads. The EG was long in the tooth and had not been renovated in over 20 years. Either drop $1 million dollars in it to modernize, or sell. Truth be told NJ has sucked up all of Staten Islands upscale catering hall business. The best halls are on, or near golf courses, or set far back up winding driveways far away from main roads and have lovely sunset and evening views. The owners of EG made the right decision. The Asians that bought it will do well there. While many people have flocked to other states, there are plenty of people who still have to live and work here and those people have to eat too. The biggest problems a business owner faces on Staten Island and NYC as a whole is rent and minimum wage. $11,000 for 4200 square feet is insane. $15.00 an hour for minimum wage for menial, unskilled labor is insane as well.
I disagree. I think they will do very well. The market demands a spot like that. Mike's Diner has been closed for a while. I am still not sure why they closed. Villa Monte was replaced by another Pizzeria. The Excelsior Grand's ownership is getting up there in age, they own another very successful catering hall in NJ, and were at a crossroads. The EG was long in the tooth and had not been renovated in over 20 years. Either drop $1 million dollars in it to modernize, or sell. Truth be told NJ has sucked up all of Staten Islands upscale catering hall business. The best halls are on, or near golf courses, or set far back up winding driveways far away from main roads and have lovely sunset and evening views. The owners of EG made the right decision. The Asians that bought it will do well there. While many people have flocked to other states, there are plenty of people who still have to live and work here and those people have to eat too. The biggest problems a business owner faces on Staten Island and NYC as a whole is rent and minimum wage. $11,000 for 4200 square feet is insane. $15.00 an hour for minimum wage for menial, unskilled labor is insane as well.
Back when Excelsior Grand was the Shalimar it was something, well at least for those who didn't want to drive out to NJ. Even then if being honest don't recall too many family events or invites to the place; everyone my family or myself knew mostly booked the Manor in NJ.
That an Asian bought the place is telling, and backs up what myself and others are saying; Chinese are a growing force on the Island and that is only going to continue. IIRC one or two new Chinese restaurants have opened recently out on New Dorp Lane.
Took my kids for pizza yesterday after soccer at Miller Field. We went to Pronto just across Hylan. I definitely would’ve stopped at Gennaro’s instead (or whatever goes in there). Pronto is awesome pizza fyi, much better but Gennaro’s spot has parking.
A sports bar/pizzeria sounds like a winner to me. Miller Field has softball games near 24/7 from April-October or so. Griff’s is currently the only after game watering hole nearby. This concept sounds perfect for the area to me, someone who grew up about 3 blocks from there and has spent 90% of his life within 2 miles. Gennaro’s and Party Time were two of the first places I ever by myself dropped a dollar down on the counter as a kid.
Agreed on the Excelsior, it’s wasn’t strictly demographics that did them in. People want more these days, especially when it comes to weddings. Same is true for the Renaissance/Monte Bianca a few blocks down Hylan.
Hopefully Bravo can be successful there, only time will tell.
Agreed on the Excelsior, it’s wasn’t strictly demographics that did them in. People want more these days, especially when it comes to weddings. Same is true for the Renaissance/Monte Bianca a few blocks down Hylan.
Hopefully Bravo can be successful there, only time will tell.
Back in the day wedding shots not at the church, bride's or groom's home were either at a studio and or at the catering hall/place where reception took place. Of course some went out to Clove Lakes or other parks on the Island for "outdoor" shots.
Today and for past few decades people want gardens and whatever outdoor "scenery" to stage wedding shots. The Shalimar/Excelsior just didn't have that that, neither does the Staten for that matter.
Family and friends still book the Staaten, but mostly for events like birthdays, first holy communion, graduations and so forth. Weddings are and have been in NJ for years now.
Agreed on the Excelsior, it’s wasn’t strictly demographics that did them in. People want more these days, especially when it comes to weddings. Same is true for the Renaissance/Monte Bianca a few blocks down Hylan.
Hopefully Bravo can be successful there, only time will tell.
First good start is the owners are locals, they know the area and Island so that should help.
I got married at a covered bridge upstate by my best friend. Got my cake at a Shoprite in Liberty and had dinner at an Albanian Italian restaurant in the same town. Wouldn’t have it any other way. I couldn’t think of anything stupider than spending $75,000+ on a 4 hour party. I say $75 (The cake and gas, my father paid for dinner) for a happy marriage can’t be beat!
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