The Roasted Tuscan Chicken Salad at The Cafe

We’ve been hearing a lot about a restaurant industry downturn, even as restaurant openings continue to fill our calendars. During a short stretch in July, we reported here on more than a dozen new establishments.

But look closely and the signs (literally) indicate that the industry has overbuilt. The sign on the door at the Applebee’s on Hurstbourne Parkway, smack in the middle of a sea of chain restaurants (including the O’Charley’s next door) reads that the Applebee’s “was unable to achieve profitability at this location.” Brown paper has covered the windows there since Sept. 29.

The note, signed by Apple Gold Group’s Michael Oleander, suggested that diners visit three other Applebee’s locations owned by the group.

Marric's in Fern Creek now for sale
Marric’s in Fern Creek now for sale

Profitability, it seems, is becoming difficult no matter what the size of the operation. In Fern Creek, I noticed that a family restaurant, Marric’s, suddenly closed, with the business now up for sale.  The store’s web page includes a note from Mary, the owner, who wrote upon opening two years ago that the restaurant was a dream project. “We took our time in remodeling and preparing our vision, menus, employees, vendors, licensing, etc.  We wanted to start small, but our goal is to  be big.  Everyone can dream they say!”

If a closing can be positive, the spin put on Facebook by Eric David Gould is just that. Gould operated Smoketown USA for nearly a decade, calling himself “the redneck Jew” and entertaining regular customers who found their way to the unusual location on Logan. He wrote, “Eric has plans in 2017 that will local events that feature Smoketown USA so you will have plenty of opportunities to get your Smoketown fix!! And who knows what Eric will bring us next?”

All this news comes on the heels of the biggest restaurant story of the week — the decision by Falls City Hospitality Group to close the much-anticipated Doc Cantina’s in Waterfront Park after less than six months. It’s a prominent, high traffic location, and the failure to succeed there is a head-scratcher. But as Steve Coomes writes here, even having a tremendous track record doesn’t guarantee the high-level execution of concept necessary for restaurant success. Let’s hope FCHG gets back to the drawing board and comes up with something new and exciting for that spot.

All is not gloom and doom in the local restaurant scene. In fact, our friends at Food and Dining magazine found more than a dozen new spots that have opened since their fall issue was released.

 

Sal Rubino at The Cafe
Sal Rubino at The Cafe

And speaking of signs, the sign on Payne Street at the new Ciao (in the former Baxter Station space) indicates the business is hiring staff, a sure sign that an opening is on the horizon. The project was announced in June, and projected to open in July. Yes, we’ve seen plenty of activity there and can’t wait to see the renovations.

Given all this activity in the restaurant space, you’ll want to hear this week’s EatDrinkTalk podcast. My guest is Sal Rubino, a veteran of more than three decades in local dining, who is successfully operating The Cafe, just off Broadway, and celebrating the concept’s 20-year anniversary. It will be online Friday.