Percolate
Gone! Gone! Gone! The coffee shop near work is going out of business! And everyone was blindsided by the news.
This is a large coffee house that hosts bands and poetry on most evenings. They show an independant film at least once a month in their space next door. They displays local artists' works along the walls for sale. And every time I've gone in I've had to wait 10-15 minutes to place my order, let alone get my caffeine. They are still open until they are out of product to sell. And then downtown is doomed to the Starbucks that are only open weekdays from 6am to 5pm and the one hole in the wall across the street. Though, if the Rred Elephant cannot survive the current economy I doubt the new place, which really doesn't cater to any niche, will last much longer.
A few months ago the Rred Elephant began selling alocholic beverages to keep open later at night...competing with the nearby bars and brasseries (again...its a wine bar, not an underwear shop...get it straight!). And they were still doing well. First Fridays were always packed. In the evenings their business didn't peter out as quickly as it usually did.
But rent went up. If a popular business cannot stay afloat in Chinatown...I fear what will happen to all of the smaller galleries and eateries in the area.
This is a large coffee house that hosts bands and poetry on most evenings. They show an independant film at least once a month in their space next door. They displays local artists' works along the walls for sale. And every time I've gone in I've had to wait 10-15 minutes to place my order, let alone get my caffeine. They are still open until they are out of product to sell. And then downtown is doomed to the Starbucks that are only open weekdays from 6am to 5pm and the one hole in the wall across the street. Though, if the Rred Elephant cannot survive the current economy I doubt the new place, which really doesn't cater to any niche, will last much longer.
A few months ago the Rred Elephant began selling alocholic beverages to keep open later at night...competing with the nearby bars and brasseries (again...its a wine bar, not an underwear shop...get it straight!). And they were still doing well. First Fridays were always packed. In the evenings their business didn't peter out as quickly as it usually did.
But rent went up. If a popular business cannot stay afloat in Chinatown...I fear what will happen to all of the smaller galleries and eateries in the area.
posted by Unknown at
4:04 PM
2 Comments:
That's terrible! I always favour the local coffeeshops over the chains...*esp* Starbucks. I'd willingly pay $4 for a cup of coffee if it includes the funky atmosphere and cool decor. Not to mention the chance to hear local bands, and a creative space for local artists. I know that Starbucks tries to emulate that, but their stores are so franchised--right down the art on the wall--that they fail miserably. I mean, come on, if you have to tack your punk metal band flyers to the designated "community board" instead of stapling them to the wall near the bathroom, then you're kinda missing the point. Dar!
Hey, I heard that Marvin's in Point might close because the economy's so bad. It must be pretty darn bad if you can't make a killing delivering greasy ham and cheese sandwiches and fried mozzarella sticks to college students until 3 am.
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