A few businesses that didn't make it this season
As many of you know, there have been quite a few business closings in the Grove recently.
Unfortunately, John had to close Christabelle's Quarter. He of course still has popular Mr. Moe's (winner of "Best Overall" at last year's Taste of the Grove). I did complain about Christabelle's many times and he knows it, I've told him to his face, but I would never want to see a business close for any reason. I didn't like the lady at the door, I like John and liked Christabelle's.
Pisco's is gone as well as Paco's Way. The writing was on the wall there from day one, they could never draw a crowd. Around the block, I noticed the karate studio we featured has vacated. They moved to Key Biscayne.
The Speak Easy, one of the most original places, above Boardwalk Pizza was also closed. Their issue was lack of liquor license. The second floor was not licensed for that. The first floor is, but someone told me the place was "a fire trap," and they were closed because the place was unsafe.
It's a shame to see these places go. I am told a few other local restaurants are having problems. I know many of you say that they don't cater to you or ask for your business or show you that they want you, but trust me, they want you.
We need to frequent our own local restaurants, talk them up, show visitors what it's all about and work as a community to help businesses survive. If you don't like a place, don't go. If you do like a place go one more day a week or month.
Those Oklahoma Sooners, were looking for Denny's, I tried to steered them to local places telling them the cost was about the same and the food was better. In the end they went to Chili's, but they stayed in the Grove. I could have told them to go to Coral Gables for Denny's. I didn't.
Unfortunately, John had to close Christabelle's Quarter. He of course still has popular Mr. Moe's (winner of "Best Overall" at last year's Taste of the Grove). I did complain about Christabelle's many times and he knows it, I've told him to his face, but I would never want to see a business close for any reason. I didn't like the lady at the door, I like John and liked Christabelle's.
Pisco's is gone as well as Paco's Way. The writing was on the wall there from day one, they could never draw a crowd. Around the block, I noticed the karate studio we featured has vacated. They moved to Key Biscayne.
The Speak Easy, one of the most original places, above Boardwalk Pizza was also closed. Their issue was lack of liquor license. The second floor was not licensed for that. The first floor is, but someone told me the place was "a fire trap," and they were closed because the place was unsafe.
It's a shame to see these places go. I am told a few other local restaurants are having problems. I know many of you say that they don't cater to you or ask for your business or show you that they want you, but trust me, they want you.
We need to frequent our own local restaurants, talk them up, show visitors what it's all about and work as a community to help businesses survive. If you don't like a place, don't go. If you do like a place go one more day a week or month.
Those Oklahoma Sooners, were looking for Denny's, I tried to steered them to local places telling them the cost was about the same and the food was better. In the end they went to Chili's, but they stayed in the Grove. I could have told them to go to Coral Gables for Denny's. I didn't.
posted by Tom Falco at 7:00 AM
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17 Comments:
Unfortunately, Tigertail Realty is closed too. We merged with Avatar.
I noticed Pisco's was closed awhile back. Its a shame because the food there was really good. However, I honestly have to blame the owners and management for not actively pursuing an effective way to market themselves and draw a crowd. The only way you would know about that place is if you happened to drive by, had a friend who happened to eat there, or read about it on this website. You could say the same for Paco's way. I live very close by and never knew it was there until about 3 months after it opened.
Christabelle's was somewhat similar but also somewhat of a different case. They didnt really market themselves but fortunately the buzz of the beautiful building and John's reputation got them their initial business. Unfortunately, the food went from above par to sub par relatively quick, especially when it became clear that Grovites and Miamians in general were not too excited about heavy French-Creole dishes. A new chef was brought in and I actually admit there was noticeable improvement. Too little, too late though. Couple that with a velvet rope that Grovites would rather hang themselves with than wait in a line and you have a recipe for failure. It became clear that they were scrambling for a way to make any sort of money to stay afloat. I know John and think he's a great guy and I admire him for taking a risk with this building and business. For awhile, he had a great spot in our community but I guess when problems arose they just couldnt adapt to survive and succeed.
Im afraid that Anohka may be the next victim in our 'hood to close doors. I walk by there frequently and the place is never more than sparsely populated.
I think, with the way things are for us as a country right now, that it will be really hard in an area like the Grove to draw a crowd. When you think about it, we're kinda "off the beaten path" for most Miamians. Hopefully the BID and Merchants Association can work on some creative plans to draw more crowds during times other than the present when we have great events like Taste of the Grove and the Art Festival. Those of us who live here know how awesome this area is. Getting others to go out of their way for a day in our little patch of awesomeness is the challenge.
i would love a good simple diner in the grove. You know the kind that are open late if not 24 hours. I think the grovites alone could provide the business. simple food at reasonable prices. I want two eggs over easy with toast and bacon with coffee for under 5$ and a simple plate of spaghetti and meatballs for Under 8$. I mean has does anyone make spaghetti and meatballs or is the world too sophisticated today?
That diner on us 1 in the gables is a disgrace to the diner name. Is there someone from new jersey or NY with the knowledge to start one. They know a good diner.
I am from the south and Christ. Quarter was not up to par. It was too expensive, too south beachy and too snooty. The restaurant was beautiful, but the good thing about being from the south is that you don't have to pretend to be something your not. There are holes in the wall that have decent food for a decent price. I don't mind paying for good food, but the food was NOT good. I am so sorry that he had to lose his business though. Miami can not fully appreciate real southern food.
I knew that Christabelle's would fail the moment I had my first meal, there. Besides the mediocre food (which, of course, could always be fixed), the scale of the place was way too ambitious for the Grove. I can't begin to imagine the cash flow that would have been required just to meet the debt on the building, let alone pay for the food, staff, and make a profit.
It reminded me more of the old Church Street Station in Orlando, which was better situated (in its time) to draw large crowds of people.
Does anyone know if Nikki Grove is still open?
Nikki Beach closed in September. We wrote about it here.
One of the most successful Grove restaurants was the Taurus. The reason was that it was always what you expected. A decent steak for a fair price. The atmosphere was quite average.
Simplicity is the key. At one time, the entire menu was hand painted on a wine bottle.
If you don't mind the noise and the TVs, the Loggerhead serves up good value. The constant flow of business is evidence of the right formula.
i don't really know who your source was on Speak Easy, but i do know that Justin just packed up and left back to California. sure, it could have had some to do with fire codes or liquor licenses, but when the only employee packs his stuff and leaves you tend to have a problem. it was there three months. you'd think they'd have fined them or shut them down before that long. i think it's just that he decided the Grove wasn't interested in high-end cocktails--and i don't blame him. luddites everywhere.
To anon 8:17
How can a reasonable person open Speak Easy, invest some money in doing so, and "assume" that, as you say, "the Grove wsasn't interested in high end cocktails" (whatever a high end cocktail is) and close up after only three months without ever having marketed themselves to us, the Groveites that could patronize the place.
Do you think THAT is a reasonable way to start a business?????
My source on Speak Easy was the zoning departement, the owner of the building and three other bar/restaurant owners in the neighborhood.
The writing was on the wall from day one, the powers that be did not want a hip hop younger crowd in the Grove. Every time I would post something, the haters would leave their put downs.
Justin tried to make a really great place, he didn't just decide to give up on a whim, he was pushed out due to "code issues."
I agree Grape, I saw the hateful posts, and I was trying to defend Justin and his message. I went to a reading and I LOVED it. I really don't get some Grovites because they act like they want diversity here, but when it presents itself they knock it down.
We come to the Grove about 6-8 times a month from Kendall. As a matter of fact, we were there this weekend again during the week after friends from Chicago stayed at the Mayfair upon our recommendation. We would live in the Grove if could afford it both monetarily and timewise (my husband's job is way out near Tamiami Airport).
Coconut Grove was a mythical place to me before we first visited Miami. Yeah, sure...it didn't quite live up to what I thought it would be, but I am attached to it in a weird way. I have hope for it. The big empty Coconut Grove Playhouse makes me sad and all the closed storefronts are depressing, but there is hope there. I could do without the chain stores and chain restaurants, but I have to admit that the local places sometimes piss me off so I eat at Cheesecake Factory or Hooters to rebel.
I would like to see more live music in CocoWalk and in other parts of the area. Street Theatre and children's entertainment (that doesn't involve abusing birds or reptiles..ahem) would be nice too. More local artists and handcrafted goods/fashions from 305 and South Florida locals is needed in the shops. I just see mass produced stuff when I go into even local "Sparkly" stores.
I could go on, but instead I am going to go down to the Taste of the Grove...
GRAPE:
You forgot about the Dry Cleaner, Video store, Orchid Store and Lesley's Clothing Store in the strip mall but Coral Bagels! The mall is Ghost mall and more expected to go, and crime expected to come in. Do not forget also The Life is Good Store.
Speakeasy issue:
The speakeasy was closed due to a misunderstanding between the owner and the fire marshall. Apparently there is a differnt code for every type of business. It is ok for a fortune teller or sex shop to be there for a hundred years but if you sell alcohol it puts you into some sort of new parallel universe. Thats all.
I have not heard about the speak easy untill just now... where was this place?
I went to christabelles whn it was first opened and the staf was absolutely horrible to me. I went back aabout a month ago after convincing myself the place needed a second chance and was quite pleased. I guess it was just not enough though as the next time I passed by it was closed. :(
Change is always a constant in the grove and a lot of places come and go. I think that the trend has been to criticize most new businesses simply because they are new and nothing but a chain has the spin doctors to work against the attacks, so I expect to see small businesses to have this same faith.
BTW, the Sushi place on main HWY right next to color me mine (I can't remember the name) has been absolutely awesome since day one. They super nice and working putting in a Thai kitchen in the space. The sushi is trully the best I have ever had and the tai ice tea is the real deal. I recommend it to everyone I know!
This is the kind of business we need more of, friednly and family owned - this is the type of place that makes our village a home town.
I hope that something new and great opens at the crissabelle's spot, the building is too beutiful to let it waste away.
Perhaps it could be broken up in to a mini mall where several businesses could co-exist... it would make an awesome bookstore or art gallery, with an art supply store, the grove could use art supplies as so many artists live here.
Did the French Kiss on Bird also close this year, or was that last year? I miss it's quirky-ness.
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