1000washington wrote:Another downtown restaurant forgets downtown residents. Disappointing. I expected better from such a fantastic place.
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Would you rather them close down altogether? They probably understand their cost and revenue structure better than Joe Shmuckatelli.
10th Street Italian - a favorite that I visit at least 1-2 times a week for either dinner or lunch, and a favorite of many I know - has cut hours to close at 3 PM (although I was turned away today around 2:30 by the sight of all the chairs inside being put up).
Disappointing. I expected better from such a fantastic place.
Darn. Oh well. Better than going out of business completely.
Unfortunately, I think it's safe to say that if the business was making money for dinner, they wouldn't start closing at 3pm. I might agree that they should at least give it a shot if they are a brand new place, but if they tried, you can't blame'm.
JuiceInDogtown wrote:Unfortunately, I think it's safe to say that if the business was making money for dinner, they wouldn't start closing at 3pm. I might agree that they should at least give it a shot if they are a brand new place, but if they tried, you can't blame'm.
Exactly. I can think of other downtown businesses that don't stay open as long as I'd like. I'd like to get a latte at Espresso Mod in the evening, or go shopping at Macy's or some of the other newer downtown stores after 6 p.m., but business owners/managers know better than any of us what their business is like at various times of the day. So I don't see the point in complaining about it when there just isn't enough critical mass (yet) to warrant later hours in many cases.
What could and should be done, however, is something to entice people to come and/or stay downtown in the evening hours.
This is probably worthy of its own thread, but I heard a story on KTVI this morning about downtown parking. Apparently Mayor Slay posted on his blog about the possibility of rolling back the number of hours during which parking meters are enforced in downtown to encourage more activity during happy hour.
It sounds like the mayor would have his hands tied to an extent as much of the power to make changes rests in the hands of the city treasurer (KTVI reporter John Brown referred to him as the parking czar- very appropriate IMHO). That said, even this one step might make a difference in convincing people to stay downtown for dinner and/or a drink before heading home (or people like me who don't work downtown to get there a little sooner and do some shopping along with getting dinner and a drink somewhere). It's something the mayor intends to discuss with the Downtown Partnership- along with an effort to convince downtown businesses to keep later hours- and it's a step in the right direction IMHO.
ThreeOneFour wrote:
This is probably worthy of its own thread, but I heard a story on KTVI this morning about downtown parking. Apparently Mayor Slay posted on his blog about the possibility of rolling back the number of hours during which parking meters are enforced in downtown to encourage more activity during happy hour.
It sounds like the mayor would have his hands tied to an extent as much of the power to make changes rests in the hands of the city treasurer (KTVI reporter John Brown referred to him as the parking czar- very appropriate IMHO). That said, even this one step might make a difference in convincing people to stay downtown for dinner and/or a drink before heading home (or people like me who don't work downtown to get there a little sooner and do some shopping along with getting dinner and a drink somewhere). It's something the mayor intends to discuss with the Downtown Partnership- along with an effort to convince downtown businesses to keep later hours- and it's a step in the right direction IMHO.
So I'm the fella that emailed my complaint to the mayor about the double parking ticket. I went on to ask why in the hell they stop enforcing meters at 4 or 4:30 during teh week to entice both DT workers to stick around for HH, or for me to convince some friends to join me and not have to worry about stepping out and pumping money into a meter or worry about getting a $30.00 ticket. Who knows if it will go anywhere but I was pretty excited to see his response, especially since I sent the email late Tuesday afternoon.
ChrisInDownTown wrote:So I'm the fella that emailed my complaint to the mayor about the double parking ticket. I went on to ask why in the hell they stop enforcing meters at 4 or 4:30 during teh week to entice both DT workers to stick around for HH, or for me to convince some friends to join me and not have to worry about stepping out and pumping money into a meter or worry about getting a $30.00 ticket. Who knows if it will go anywhere but I was pretty excited to see his response, especially since I sent the email late Tuesday afternoon.
Excellent- now we know we have you to thank for bringing this to the mayor's attention! And let's give Hizzoner props where they're due- that was a quick response!
So in less than 24 hours, you got the attention of Mayor Slay and KTVI, so I'd say that's a great beginning.
I've long thought that various issues with on-street parking (hours, valet spaces, yellow curbs, driving lanes that could and should be converted into more street parking) are what hampers business activity downtown, especially after thousands of people leave their offices each weekday evening. I've also thought that the city treasurer has way too much influence over parking regulations. It seems like it's overly complicated to make changes, and that's not good in a downtown environment that is changing fast due to recent growth in the number of residents and businesses.
Because of the way that the City of St. Louis' government works, I realize it will be probably be difficult for Mayor Slay to bring about sweeping changes, but I like that he quickly acknowledged your concerns and plans to bring the matter up when he talks with the Downtown Partnership later this week.
1000Washington, you need to stop saying businesses do not support residents because they close early. You do not know their individual economics of being open late. As far as downtown has come, there still are not enough residents eating out at night to keep every place open. Especially in a time like this.
MattnSTL wrote:As far as downtown has come, there still are not enough residents eating out at night to keep every place open. Especially in a time like this.
Also factor in the massive cuts at Macy's Midwest/May Company that took place last year, and the critical mass required just isn't quite 'there' yet.
Of course there have still been significant gains in the number of residents and overall businesses in the last couple of years, but as you said, in these economic times businesspeople literally cannot afford to stay open for customers that simply aren't going to be there.
10th Street Italian - a favorite that I visit at least 1-2 times a week for either dinner or lunch, and a favorite of many I know - has cut hours to close at 3 PM (although I was turned away today around 2:30 by the sight of all the chairs inside being put up).
Disappointing. I expected better from such a fantastic place.
This is pretty selfish thinking 1000. In this economy, if companies continue on business as usual in 2009 the same way as in 2008, they likley won't make it. I know in my business we are doing a lot of restructuring (not one person has been let go!) and throwing pounds of sh*t against the wall just to see what sticks.
dweebe wrote:I think 10th Street Italian tried evening hours when they first opened but couldn't get enough business to justify staying open. I want to say my first visit there was a dinner when it was dark out.
They made a go of it for quite a while, actually - this must have been a fairly recent decision. My wife and I would often pick up carry-out from there for dinner on our way home from work.
Excellent- now we know we have you to thank for bringing this to the mayor's attention! And let's give Hizzoner props where they're due- that was a quick response!
So in less than 24 hours, you got the attention of Mayor Slay and KTVI, so I'd say that's a great beginning.
Stltoday forum is going and will probably get ugly. Really how bad could the loss of revenue be? More than covered by the added business I truely belive will come. Also...just to clarify, 1) I am not a DT worker; and 2) it wasn't really that angry of an email, just expressing frustrations. Another personal reason that I'd like to haev the meters end at 4:30 is for those DT residents who work elsewhere and have to park in the street. My wife parks in our garage spot, leaving me to fend for myself when I return home from work at 5:30 or so. Sometime you can find spots where meters aren't required, but is it really necessary to force us residents to pay for an hour or two of meters while we are at home? I am not implying we are entitled to more than office workers or visitors, but come on?
ChrisInDownTown wrote:So I'm the fella that emailed my complaint to the mayor about the double parking ticket. I went on to ask why in the hell they stop enforcing meters at 4 or 4:30 during teh week to entice both DT workers to stick around for HH, or for me to convince some friends to join me and not have to worry about stepping out and pumping money into a meter or worry about getting a $30.00 ticket. Who knows if it will go anywhere but I was pretty excited to see his response, especially since I sent the email late Tuesday afternoon.
Excellent- now we know we have you to thank for bringing this to the mayor's attention! And let's give Hizzoner props where they're due- that was a quick response!
So in less than 24 hours, you got the attention of Mayor Slay and KTVI, so I'd say that's a great beginning.
I've long thought that various issues with on-street parking (hours, valet spaces, yellow curbs, driving lanes that could and should be converted into more street parking) are what hampers business activity downtown, especially after thousands of people leave their offices each weekday evening. I've also thought that the city treasurer has way too much influence over parking regulations. It seems like it's overly complicated to make changes, and that's not good in a downtown environment that is changing fast due to recent growth in the number of residents and businesses.
Because of the way that the City of St. Louis' government works, I realize it will be probably be difficult for Mayor Slay to bring about sweeping changes, but I like that he quickly acknowledged your concerns and plans to bring the matter up when he talks with the Downtown Partnership later this week.
I haven't complained because in the end, it was my fault...but I parked on the street for the Christmas activities downtown...I can't remember the name, you know, the Macy's window unveiling, etc. I parked on the street in a line of cars at around 6pm. I got back to my car and found a $25 ticket. Merry f---ing Christmas! Apparently I missed the faded "No parking 4pm-7pm M-F" sign at the corner of the street. I guess this is to curtail congestion during rush hour. But, I would also hope that people could see that there is nowhere to park downtown when a big festival like that is going on, and when its freezing balls out, you don't want to walk 2 miles if you don't have to especially with the little guy (being my 18 month old who was 17 months at the time). I just wish they would be more relaxed on the parking laws during special events and what not. If it was NO PARKING ANY TIME that would be different, but this was just a 4-7pm thing. It just wasn't very festive to get a $25 ticket.
Excellent- now we know we have you to thank for bringing this to the mayor's attention! And let's give Hizzoner props where they're due- that was a quick response!
So in less than 24 hours, you got the attention of Mayor Slay and KTVI, so I'd say that's a great beginning.
Stltoday forum is going and will probably get ugly. Really how bad could the loss of revenue be? More than covered by the added business I truely belive will come.
The key word. When you're not making money, or perhaps even losing it (we don't know), how long do you wait? Would you wait?
I went to this place, finally, for the first time a few weeks ago. I have to say, i've been missing out. THe pasta and the house salad with chicken, was one of the best i've had anywhere in STL. I will be back!
Thank you to everyone who has posted in regards to my restaurant's hours. Operating a business, no matter what type it is, in these difficult economic times is a challenge to say the least. The decision to limit our hours was not taken lightly. We have been supporters of downtown, its visitors and residents from day one and we continue to be. However difficult times make for difficult decisions.
For four years we have remained open in the evenings throughout the rather lean winter months, knowing that the spring, summer and fall would be great. This past year however the spring, summer and fall have not been so great and we cannot continue to provide our services at a loss during the winter months. This past year there were considerably fewer conventions, fewer tourists, more businesses closing or moving and a tightening of residents wallets. The market as a whole has shrunk and the only ones that will survive are those that adapt and take a strong look at their operations as a whole. To raise prices right now is difficult eventhough our costs continue to rise. We as an organization will not cut the quality of our products as it is what we have built our reputation upon. So we have to look at what times are not profitable this time of year and cut back on that. We are currently focusing on our catering operations and our dalily lunch business which accounts for 90% or our revenues during the winter months. It is a business decision so that we can continue to operate our restaurant at full hours the other three quarters of the year.
Again thank you to all of the residents and workers of downtown that support us and appreciate the food we serve. If you have any questions about 10th Street Italian or feedback, please do not hesitate to give me a call at 314-241-9988, before 3:00pm of course.
I'm usually good for 2-3 visits a month (sadly, I work most days in the county, and am gone a lot in the evenings). I'd be there more if you were open weekends! But I understand the residential numbers aren't there yet to support that.
Beginning May 12th, 10th Street Italian will be open again at night. Our hours will be as follows:
Monday 10:30am to 3:00pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:30am to 8:00pm
Friday 10:30am to 3:00pm
We will also be bringing back the Dinner for Two special which is two soups or salads, two pastas, and two cookies. Had to increase it a bit though to $22. But you can still add the bottle of wine for $12!
Thanks to the readers of Urbanstl for their continue support of my restaurant. If all goes well we may expand the hours on Monday and Friday as well.
And whether you come to my restaurant or not, please make every effort to support our local retailers, restaurants and bars during this tough economy. Let's try to keep our dollars active in our local economy as much as possible!
Walked by today to have lunch after a meeting with a client, and saw that they were closed. No signs in the window saying closed early. I believe the hours said around 8PM for a close. Unless they're jumping on the asinine early hours bandwagon, maybe something's up....
It's still open. I ate there today. It closes at 2pm. I think schnucks has taken a lot of their business which sucks, but go figure when there are a bunch of cheap lazies in downtown who would rather have okay food for 4 dollars than have an excellent meatball sandwich for 7 or so. I hope this place stays open.
Not to open a can of worms again, but the beacon had a good article about downtown businesses struggling. Get out and support them this holiday season so we can keep positive momentum downtown.
