[St. John's] Restaurant Thread

[statbass]

Originally Posted by Arrakis

Oddly enough, they had a sign in the window saying that their debit was now working. Probably too little too late.

I refuse to give my support to business who refuse to accept the use of debit machines in this day and age. I never carry cash on me on anymore.

Plus it just seems very sketchy to not accept debit and/or credit card. Well, to me at least.

[KnightFury]

Downtown Boston Pizza and Bier Markt and Elizabeth Ave. Piatto have had their business approvals posted on the city's monthly economic report.

[Engibeer]

Looks like downtown BP is aiming for a mid-late April opening.

[Marty_Mcfly]

It'll be good business down there, next to Mile One and the Convention Centre. It might not be ideal to have a chain taking up prime space, but it's nice to have options, as bad as they may be. Families with kids going to see a game will probably avail of this the most...you know, families with the picky kids who definitely won't step foot in Fish Exchange

[Sox]

Originally Posted by Marty_Mcfly

It'll be good business down there, next to Mile One and the Convention Centre. It might not be ideal to have a chain taking up prime space, but it's nice to have options, as bad as they may be. Families with kids going to see a game will probably avail of this the most...you know, families with the picky kids who definitely won't step foot in Fish Exchange

Sounds about right to me. Unfortunately its going to kill the same options that already exist downtown. By that I mean, Jungle Jim's and Celtic Hearth are probably going to take big hits. Most customers looking for this type menu, will now choose between Jack Aster's and Boston Pizza ( mainly because they are the newest & shiniest ) This will not grow the customer base downtown, all it will do is dilute the existing customer base even more. There is only enough room for so many pubs and restaurants downtown, and I'm guessing the saturation point is fast approaching.

[Arrakis]

Jungle Jims are stuck in the past. They have old decor and a rundown look. Nothing has been updated ever since they opened. There is no way they can compete with the larger chains that have the cash to constantly update.

Originally Posted by Sox

Sounds about right to me. Unfortunately its going to kill the same options that already exist downtown. By that I mean, Jungle Jim's and Celtic Hearth are probably going to take big hits. Most customers looking for this type menu, will now choose between Jack Aster's and Boston Pizza ( mainly because they are the newest & shiniest ) This will not grow the customer base downtown, all it will do is dilute the existing customer base even more. There is only enough room for so many pubs and restaurants downtown, and I'm guessing the saturation point is fast approaching.

[Arrakis]

Well YUK YUK's is throwing in the towel and are closing up shop but are still interested in staying in St. john's and looking for another location.
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/yuk-yuks-closes-stjohns-1.3496392

[Offshore1]

Originally Posted by Sox

Sounds about right to me. Unfortunately its going to kill the same options that already exist downtown. By that I mean, Jungle Jim's and Celtic Hearth are probably going to take big hits. Most customers looking for this type menu, will now choose between Jack Aster's and Boston Pizza ( mainly because they are the newest & shiniest ) This will not grow the customer base downtown, all it will do is dilute the existing customer base even more. There is only enough room for so many pubs and restaurants downtown, and I'm guessing the saturation point is fast approaching.

I'd have to agree with you regarding the saturation point for bars/restaurants downtown - fast approaching if we're not already there.
I think we may have reached the saturation point for chain restaurants in general. For another chain to succeed here now I think it would have to be something totally unrelated to the ones here already. I'm thinking sit-down restaurants here and not necessarily fast food.

[Larla77]

Originally Posted by Arrakis

Hey, anyone know what's the deal with Stoggers Pizza on LeMarchant/Longs Hill?
I called there today to order and couldnt get through. So decide to just drive there this afternoon and it was empty and locked up. Did they go out of business?

I had Stoggers for lunch yesterday so they are most definitely open. I work in the area although I rarely go there for lunch. They often have no pizza slices around 1 as they get cleaned out by the students from area schools (Holy Heart, St. Bons, Brother Rice). Also the debit is working.

[statbass]

Originally Posted by Larla77

I had Stoggers for lunch yesterday so they are most definitely open. I work in the area although I rarely go there for lunch. They often have no pizza slices around 1 as they get cleaned out by the students from area schools (Holy Heart, St. Bons, Brother Rice). Also the debit is working.

Well, I'll be darned!

[Arrakis]

Good luck to these two student entrepreneurs. Hope they are successful in getting their Pizza Pizza franchise at the MUN University Centre.

http://www.thetelegram.com/Business/2016...ng-Pizza-Pizza-to-St.-John%26rsquo%3Bs/1

[jondrover]

Stoggers is moving to Campbell Ave, new owners, same recipe.

[jthetzel]

Originally Posted by jondrover

Stoggers is moving to Campbell Ave, new owners, same recipe.

Interesting. Thanks. Do you know when they're closing their Harvey Road location? The office is nearby, so I'll have to grab a slice tomorrow if they are still open.

At city council on Monday, an application to open a pizza take-out restaurant around the corner from Campbell Ave on Ricketts Rd was denied. Probably a coincidence, but maybe related?

[Marty_Mcfly]

Originally Posted by Arrakis

Good luck to these two student entrepreneurs. Hope they are successful in getting their Pizza Pizza franchise at the MUN University Centre.

http://www.thetelegram.com/Business/2016...ng-Pizza-Pizza-to-St.-John%26rsquo%3Bs/1

Pizza Pizza is the least exciting option being proposed for the MUN food court. It should also be considered whether or not the university is willing to substitute a failed pizza location with another pizza location. Not to mention that somehow, Pizza Pizza is worse quality food than Mrs. Vanilli's.

---------------

In other restaurant news, Saigon Bistro is closing its doors. That one hurts, probably one of the best restaurants in the city. Especially considering it's one of the few places you can go for a quality meal that's priced fairly.

[Arrakis]

I was only commenting on the entrepreneurship of the two business students and wishing them luck. I have no idea what the quality of Pizza Pizza is but I know it's a successful franchise and everywhere in Ontario. Regardless as to why Mrs Vanellis is closing, I don't know. But I am sure MUN will be happy to lease the space to anyone who can pay the lease. Plus, pizza and university students go hand in hand.

Originally Posted by Marty_Mcfly

Pizza Pizza is the least exciting option being proposed for the MUN food court. It should also be considered whether or not the university is willing to substitute a failed pizza location with another pizza location. Not to mention that somehow, Pizza Pizza is worse quality food than Mrs. Vanilli's.

---------------

In other restaurant news, Saigon Bistro is closing its doors. That one hurts, probably one of the best restaurants in the city. Especially considering it's one of the few places you can go for a quality meal that's priced fairly.

[jthetzel]

A new business referring to themselves as "The Battery Cafe" has applied to use city-owned property at the corner of Duckworth and Battery Road for outdoor seating (see page 58 of http://www.stjohns.ca/sites/default/files/files/agenda/Regular_Agenda_April%2011%2C%202016.pdf ). Some at the city voiced concern because the location is used to for snow storage. Regardless, staff recommends approving a lease for May through October.

[PoscStudent]

Mill St. Brewery is opening a pub here.

http://www.canadianbeernews.com/2016/02/08/mill-street-brewpub-planned-for-st-johns/

[Marty_Mcfly]

Originally Posted by PoscStudent

Mill St. Brewery is opening a pub here.

http://www.canadianbeernews.com/2016/02/08/mill-street-brewpub-planned-for-st-johns/

Yeah, but no one knows where it's planned to go yet. There are rumors that it'll be sharing space with Bier Markt in the old Keg location. That could bode poorly for Bier Markt if Mill Street is there too, there could be more of an emphasis on Mill Street/Labatt brews over other craft selections. Mill Street was just mediocre to somewhat good to begin with, there's no knowing what the Labatt buyout could do to the product until it starts coming out of the brewery.

[SC1986]

its going inside the bier markt

[Marty_Mcfly]

Originally Posted by Arrakis

I was only commenting on the entrepreneurship of the two business students and wishing them luck. I have no idea what the quality of Pizza Pizza is but I know it's a successful franchise and everywhere in Ontario. Regardless as to why Mrs Vanellis is closing, I don't know. But I am sure MUN will be happy to lease the space to anyone who can pay the lease. Plus, pizza and university students go hand in hand.

Success does not equal quality, unfortunately. Pizza Pizza is about as low as it gets on the pizza quality ladder. The university sent a survey out to its students polling what they'd like to see in that location, with multiple options including Pizza Pizza, so presumably there are multiple franchises ready to make the pounce on the spot.

Pizza and university students do go hand in hand, but the line at Ms. Vanelli's says otherwise. This is something MUN is probably highly considering, especially with multiple franchise options available to them.