Cummel's Cafe Closing

framer · PostJul 16, 2009#12009-07-16T04:50+00:00

Cummel's Cafe in the University Lofts is closing.

Sure, it's kind of a funny place, no alcohol, eratic hours, etc., but they were on Washington before most anyone else, and it's a shame to see them go.

I'll miss the Backyard Burger.

stlgasm · PostJul 16, 2009#22009-07-16T12:24+00:00

Wow, truly the end of an era. I'm surprised they made it as long as they did. The few times I went I was the only person there. But it's really a shame to see a longtime independent business go.

metzgda · PostJul 16, 2009#32009-07-16T14:42+00:00

This place is right across the street from my work, and I went there a grand total of one time. I always wanted to go in there and just tell them to install a new lighting system. Even when the place is open, it appears dark as night inside and doesn't encourage people to come in.

With a large company across the street, if the right place moved in they would get a good lunch crowd. I can tell you that Wicked Fresh Subs and the new BBQ place have been getting significant lunch business from my work.

mophipsi · PostJul 16, 2009#42009-07-16T15:28+00:00

I live next door to Cummels and have been there for almost 3 years...I have been there once. The place is dirty and the food sucks. Sorry to be blunt, but there are just too many other options for my dining out dollar, maybe they used to do well when they were the only place down there because there was nowhere else to go. Their food really is bad...

As an aside, Wicked fresh has been closed the last couple of evenings...I tried to stop by after work to get a sandwich...anyone know whats up?

city pet supply · PostJul 16, 2009#52009-07-16T17:45+00:00

mophipsi wrote:As an aside, Wicked fresh has been closed the last couple of evenings...I tried to stop by after work to get a sandwich...anyone know whats up?

They were open originally until 8pm to test the viability of those hours. The vast majority of their business was lunch business, so now they close daily at 4pm. Downtown residents were not supporting the extended hours.

mophipsi · PostJul 16, 2009#62009-07-16T18:04+00:00

Wow, that sucks, but in fairness they gave that all of what...2 weeks with no publicity...seriously.

My neighbors were just finding out about the place and starting to go there and now they are closed in the evening...its a bummer, but their decision. I would have suggested publicizing it more, especially the delivery before giving up, but I guess they didn't want to go that route. Disappointing.

the central scrutinizer · PostJul 16, 2009#72009-07-16T18:26+00:00

City Pet Supply wrote:
mophipsi wrote:As an aside, Wicked fresh has been closed the last couple of evenings...I tried to stop by after work to get a sandwich...anyone know whats up?
They were open originally until 8pm to test the viability of those hours. The vast majority of their business was lunch business, so now they close daily at 4pm. Downtown residents were not supporting the extended hours.

I still don't understand closing at 4:00. If you're just trying to catch the lunch crowd, why not close at 2:00?

mophipsi · PostJul 16, 2009#82009-07-16T23:19+00:00

Just as an FYI, they were open this evening, I stopped on the way home when I saw them open.

downtown2007 · PostJul 17, 2009#92009-07-17T00:45+00:00

Wicked or Cummels?

mophipsi · PostJul 17, 2009#102009-07-17T01:01+00:00

sorry, I guess the thread kind of got hijacked...wicked is who I was referring to

streetsabby · PostJul 24, 2009#112009-07-24T07:22+00:00

Cummel's was around forever! They used to be in the Leather Trades building. They are a downtown institution and seemed to do well when there were more artists living and working downtown. I just don't think they could keep up with the loft dwellers.

The owner was really nice but I have to say I only ate there a couple of times also...I always thought there might be hygiene issues. They would also have the most god awful bands and poetry slams going on and some person was always trying to hustle something.

I do however wish they would have improved, cleaned, and entered 2007 at least by the time 2009 arrived. I hate to see independent businesses close, especially ones that have been around forever.

framer · PostSep 04, 2010#122010-09-04T04:37+00:00

Word on the street is that some kind of wine-bar/restaurant is going into the former Cummel's location. They hope to have patio seating in the open area to the east.

downtown2007 · PostSep 07, 2010#132010-09-07T22:25+00:00

How many wine bars does the Downtown need?

warwickland · PostSep 07, 2010#142010-09-07T23:02+00:00

Downtown2007 wrote:How many wine bars does the Downtown need?

Are you doubting the power of the county divorcée?

I'll tell you what, I like a good friday night downtown wine bar show every once in a while. Weekend wine drinkers put us southside beer drinkers to shame.

http://i387.photobucket.com/albums/oo31 ... ny/1-2.jpg

the central scrutinizer · PostSep 07, 2010#152010-09-07T23:11+00:00

Downtown2007 wrote:How many wine bars does the Downtown need?

How many do we have?

downtown2007 · PostSep 08, 2010#162010-09-08T00:13+00:00

Bridge and Copia.

lukethedrifter · PostSep 08, 2010#172010-09-08T00:52+00:00

I worked for Janese painting- and making food for catering jobs- at the location she had in the 13xx block of Washington back in the early 90s. Sometimes I would do both at the same time. I'm not sure she had all of her licenses in line at that point. It was a between-jobs gig for me so I wasn't around long.

the central scrutinizer · PostSep 08, 2010#182010-09-08T01:58+00:00

Downtown2007 wrote:Bridge and Copia.

The Bridge only counts for 1/2.

framer · PostSep 08, 2010#192010-09-08T04:06+00:00

Let me stress that the wine bar is just a rumor. There's work going on inside, but no signs or notices or permit applications.