urbanSTL

PaulUrban wrote:. Juniper Grill in Soulard just closed

when did this happen??

PaulUrban wrote:Looks like the economy is going to do in a lot of great little places. Hope Paul

As much as I don't like it... This economy is survival of the fittest. The healthy businesses will survive, and the other will not.

PaulUrban wrote:I don't think the reason for this post is to discuss signage issues but the demise of a really great, locally owned restaurant.

As one of the moderators here I'll readily admit that (I) we got sidetracked discussing the signage issue. While the unfortunate and untimely demise of a great eatery like The Pitted Olive is the issue at hand, I think it's important that people understand that small businesses don't necessarily have a level playing field at City Hall compared to well-connected developers and megacorporations. Obviously, that may or may not have had an impact on The Pitted Olive per se, but it's an important issue to consider if we want independently-owned businesses and the urban neighborhoods in which they are located to flourish.



Back to restaurant news, I'm still bummed about the loss of The Pitted Olive. Juniper Grill is one of those places I always wanted to try but never got around to checking it out. Off the Vine is another one of those places, and sadly, it didn't last long at all (less than a year IIRC).



I'm dining out less for the time being just because I'm trying to make dollars stretch for the holidays. I figure I'll get back into more of a routine after the first of the year, and I'm not an alarmist, but I really wonder how many more places will be affected by the soft economy.



That said, the news of these closings should serve as a reminder to patronize our favorite local establishments and give newcomers a try as much as possible.

well Pitted Olive was one I definitely wanted to give a try, as was Off the Vine. Sometimes time and your paycheck get away from you and you don't get out as much as you'd like. Juniper Grill was one I was happy I tried while it was around. It seemed like it did pretty well the two times I was there (of course one of those times was the Soulard progressive dinner so I imagine that wasn't a normal Thursday)



From what I have heard McDonalds and Wal Mart seem to be riding out this recession while the mom and pop's stores and restaurants are walking a tightrope for survival.



I enjoy a Big Mac every now and then myself, but I think I'm going to be a bit more conscience of my restaurant spending and try to support the locally owned establishments even more than I already do.

If that means I only get to eat out once every two weeks instead of every week so be it.



Please don't flame me, I understand those with kids and other factors such as time necessitate fast food from time to time for folks, just stating my own plans here

When did Off the Vine close?



I have to admit, the Retail/Restaurant section of this forum is pretty scary these days. I get a little nervous every time I click on a thread, thinking that it will bring news that another place has closed.



Just like southsidepride said, be sure to get out there and patronize LOCAL establishments - the Stellinas and Tin Cans and Onestos of the world. We gotta help keep these guys afloat until things turn around.

DeBaliviere wrote:I get a little nervous every time I click on a thread, thinking that it will bring news that another place has closed.

You too, huh? I get the same way, but OTOH, I'm also pleasantly surprised to see several new places opening up in the last couple of months or so, like Triumph Grill, The Good Pie, and Sasha's on Shaw. I plan to support my favorites whenever I can, but I also look forward to giving these newcomers and others a chance as well.

^ Don't forget quality of food, customer service and marketing!

^ Don't forget quality of food, customer service and marketing!

Fickle customer.

^ Oops, my bad.

kustramo wrote:

lukethedrifter wrote:How could anyone not approve an olive shaped sign? Anywhere?

How big was this olive anyway?

I don't recall. I just know that Mike described a very cool olive shaped sign- one that had already been made I believe- that was rejected. I also recall he was given a difficult time about his lack of off street parking.

lukethedrifter wrote: I also recall he was given a difficult time about his lack of off street parking.

That was Pitted Olive's biggest issue, IMO. It had only a handful of parking spots, and pulling out of them required you to back into Hampton.



Of course the owners of the garage next door could have been good neighbors and allowed PO patrons to park there in the evenings instead of towing everybody.

Moorlander wrote:

PaulUrban wrote:Looks like the economy is going to do in a lot of great little places. Hope Paul

As much as I don't like it... This economy is survival of the fittest. The healthy businesses will survive, and the other will not.

Why would you not like to admit it? This is how free-market capitalism is supposed to work. Oh, unless you're of the "Too Big to Fail" variant.

^ If the playing field is not level (and I'm not arguing here that it's not), then it's possible that the free market is not exactly "free". For example, assume a large developer gets a TIF to build a restaurant, while a small mom and pop establishment doesn't get a TIF to move into a storefront space. The economy turns sour, the mom and pop place goes under. One might say that the TIF'd place had a better location, freestanding (more attractive) building, or whatever. But the economics were shifted to begin with.



In a perfect market, I'd agree with you.

^ There's no need to be divisive. TIF is open to everyone -- mom, pop, and even large developers.