It's a fact, IMO, that many of those who start new restaurants may be quite good at it but are lousy operators to keep it going and growing.

Many good operators are not good at starting a new concept, etc.

Not to mention the fact that it is very difficult to expand a successful concept without suffering an overall loss of quality and consistency across all locations

Not to mention the fact that it is very difficult to expand a successful concept without suffering an overall loss of quality and consistency across all locations

I was actually talking to a friend this week about how amazing it is that Cafe Kacao has never expanded despite always being insanely busy. Also their quality is consistent across many years. Coincidence?

Not to mention the fact that it is very difficult to expand a successful concept without suffering an overall loss of quality and consistency across all locations
Chelinos is a perfect example of this. The original little store was amazing. The larger they got the worse they were.

Denver has had a large number of closings of established restaurants this year. Each owner has blamed the recent increase in the minimum wage along with food inflation. An interview with one owner stated they typically operates on a 3-5% margin. When the minimum wage was increased 10% from last year to this, it blew their margins up so they got out of the business.

Denver has had a large number of closings of established restaurants this year. Each owner has blamed the recent increase in the minimum wage along with food inflation. An interview with one owner stated they typically operates on a 3-5% margin. When the minimum wage was increased 10% from last year to this, it blew their margins up so they got out of the business.

Yea, the restaurant business is exceptionally challenging even in an objectively good economy. When outfits like Wendy’s and McDonalds are charging $10/meal, you know that the cost inputs have to be just insane — and especially so for the small operators.

Chelinos is a perfect example of this. The original little store was amazing. The larger they got the worse they were.

I think the quality of Okie-Mex in general today is a far cry from what it was when Nino's, Cocino de Mino, and the original Ted's were in their hey days.

I think the quality of Okie-Mex in general today is a far cry from what it was when Nino's, Cocino de Mino, and the original Ted's were in their hey days.

This takes me back. Nino's was a family favorite on Expressway. Right next to Pioneer Pies and just down from Johnnie's. We spent a lot of Sunday lunches over in that area.

Mi Publeo Warr Acres announced it will be closing after 4 years. I loved their food.

Mi Publeo Warr Acres announced it will be closing after 4 years. I loved their food.

They were good but I must be tripping. They announced this months ago and have been closed for months I thought

Their FB page post was from 9 hours ago.

Their FB page post was from 9 hours ago.

My wife said they closed months ago but they weren’t sure if it would be oermanent. So the announcement today must have been making it official

Mi Publeo Warr Acres announced it will be closing after 4 years. I loved their food.
Ugh, they were my source for ridiculous amounts of queso.

They were good but I must be tripping. They announced this months ago and have been closed for months I thought

They have been closed for months. The former owner runs the new Mexican place in Mustang just east of Walmart called Fiesta Mexicana.

They have been closed for months. The former owner runs the new Mexican place in Mustang just east of Walmart called Fiesta Mexicana.

interesting...i'll have to try them out

Noticed that all signage on Black Rifle Coffee Company has been removed on their N Penn location. I thought that was interesting as it always had people and veterans in there hanging out drinking coffee, etc. Their FB pages shows "temporarily closed" with no other details.

Greg Horton is reporting on Facebook that Equity Brewing in Norman will be closing when their lease expires in July.

Greg Horton is reporting on Facebook that Equity Brewing in Norman will be closing when their lease expires in July.

this was a long time coming. i know some on here will say this is another sign that the craft brewery scene in OKC metro is dying. but this is another case of an owner making terrible decisions that result in a failing business.

this was a long time coming. i know some on here will say this is another sign that the craft brewery scene in OKC metro is dying. but this is another case of an owner making terrible decisions that result in a failing business.

I would say it is just competition for breweries within Norman. The best survive and have a dedicated client base. 405, Lazy Circles, Crossed Cannons, BIG and Legally seem like enough breweries to fill the town of Norman.

I would say it is just competition for breweries within Norman. The best survive and have a dedicated client base. 405, Lazy Circles, Crossed Cannons, BIG and Legally seem like enough breweries to fill the town of Norman.

yes. but Equity had a solid client base, and then some questionable business practices came to light and all of the following happened at the same time... they lost almost their entire staff, Legally (who was brewing and selling out of Equity) decided to up and leave early and before their own taproom was finished, and a whole group of solid multi time a week customers (myself included) all left and haven't stepped foot back in there. They lost their client bases due to bad decisions by management, and it was the event that is leading to the issues now.

yes. but Equity had a solid client base, and then some questionable business practices came to light and all of the following happened at the same time... they lost almost their entire staff, Legally (who was brewing and selling out of Equity) decided to up and leave early and before their own taproom was finished, and a whole group of solid multi time a week customers (myself included) all left and haven't stepped foot back in there. They lost their client bases due to bad decisions by management, and it was the event that is leading to the issues now.

sounds juicy...any more details?

I would say it is just competition for breweries within Norman. The best survive and have a dedicated client base. 405, Lazy Circles, Crossed Cannons, BIG and Legally seem like enough breweries to fill the town of Norman.

We went to Equity right after it opened. I remember neither of us were really impressed. I guess I just thought that being in a city the size of Norman, especially with a large university population to draw from that even a "decent" brewery could stay open? Also, in comparison, Bend, OR has 26 microbreweries with a population not much larger than Norman. I'm always wondering if we can ever get CLOSE to something like that? Can you imagine Norman, OK with 26 microbreweries?

The culture of Bend is very different from the culture of Norman.

We went to Equity right after it opened. I remember neither of us were really impressed. I guess I just thought that being in a city the size of Norman, especially with a large university population to draw from that even a "decent" brewery could stay open? Also, in comparison, Bend, OR has 26 microbreweries with a population not much larger than Norman. I'm always wondering if we can ever get CLOSE to something like that? Can you imagine Norman, OK with 26 microbreweries?

As stated, you cannot compare beer-loving Oregonians to Oklahomans. It is a whole different world up there. They worship craft beer up in Oregon.

Oregon craft beer struggling as well.....

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/01/20/oregon-craft-brewers-see-continued-decline-in-draft-beer-sales-more-closures/

Not *purely* OKC, but the OK Tax Commission has closed Hurts Donuts on Campus Corner in Norman for non-payment of taxes.

I went down there a few weeks ago for an Apple Pie Donut and it was awful. I knew that location had changed owners and had been remodeled, but going in the only changes looked like they shrank the display case by about half and nothing looked very appealing.

The Grove Bar in Midtown closed at some point in the past couple of weeks.

They have a post on Instagram asking for investors or buyers.

^

The Midtown shakeup continues:

Grove Bar
Sunset (to be rebranded by current operators)
Cafe do Brasil
1492
Louie's
Ludavine
City Garden
Capitals Ice Cream (replaced by Roxy's)

Didn't realize Roxy's was going into the Capital's space was going to be Roxy's until yesterday when we drove by last night.

The Grove Bar in Midtown closed at some point in the past couple of weeks.

They have a post on Instagram asking for investors or buyers.Their last post other than the one regarding investors was posted waaay back on November 7th. Were they even open during the holidays? Going almost 4 months without an Insta post can't be good for business.

The Grove Bar in Midtown closed at some point in the past couple of weeks.

They have a post on Instagram asking for investors or buyers.

I kinda knew it when it was still a plan, why would you need another bar when there are 10 other (better) options around?

The Grove Bar in Midtown closed at some point in the past couple of weeks.

They have a post on Instagram asking for investors or buyers.

That seems so fast! I thought it looked cute, but never saw many people there.

That seems so fast! I thought it looked cute, but never saw many people there.I went there once with a buddy. We weren't impressed. They did a nice job renovating the space and a better operator might be able to make money there.

Sorry if this has already been posted, but it appears that Quazi Islam, owner of The Drum Room, is trying to find prospective buyers on Facebook Marketplace.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/790562729506530/

Ragin Cajun in Bricktown is closing effective today.

Sorry if this has already been posted, but it appears that Quazi Islam, owner of The Drum Room, is trying to find prospective buyers on Facebook Marketplace.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/790562729506530/

Is that common to sell a restaurant via Facebook Marketplace?

Ragin Cajun in Bricktown is closing effective today.

At first I was thinking this was the Pearl's owned place. I know this was a chain but hate to see any place fail.

Ragin Cajun in Bricktown is closing effective today.

We looked at the menu one time to go there. It didn't look inviting. 25% autograt on large parties, absolutely no substitutions (tells you twice) and we will throw you out if you disrespect out staff. If you have all this on your menu, makes me think the in house service will be the same.

We looked at the menu one time to go there. It didn't look inviting. 25% autograt on large parties, absolutely no substitutions (tells you twice) and we will throw you out if you disrespect out staff. If you have all this on your menu, makes me think the in house service will be the same.

oh my goodness... i had to see it for myself and it's all right there. i especially liked, "this is a family owned business" followed by "sauce that shyt up" (sic) in big red letters.

I was brought up to never speak ill of the dead, but I’ll make a minor exception here. And to be clear, I am disappointed they didn't make it and I feel for everyone impacted.

That said, I can tell you now that every time someone told me the place was still open I was legitimately shocked. Tried eating there twice, and while the food was OK, what was going on inside the place was shocking from an industry best practices standpoint. Including things like having chairs on top of unused tables during business hours. The hours had no reliability, and probably 8 times out of 10 that I or someone I knew tried to visit, the business was completely closed. Closed during peak times, and in a condition that would be very easy to interpret as being totally out of business. Completely disinterested servers and counter staff. I could go on and on, but I’ll just say that this one can 100% be chalked up to an operator who was out of their depth.

This was not a market-driven closure, or if it was, it was due to staffing issues, which most surviving operators have largely sorted through by now.

Ragin Cajun is a franchise operation. I tried on in south Denver burbs a few years back and what l had was very mediocre. I'm not sure what people see in it.

My aunt and uncle said the Johnnie’s on May north of memorial was closing. They go there a few times a week so I assume someone that works there told them.

They also posted on social media.

My aunt and uncle said the Johnnie’s on May north of memorial was closing. They go there a few times a week so I assume someone that works there told them.

The handful of times I went there, I was not impressed. I'm kind of surprised it lasted as long as it did, as the quality wasn't near the Britton location.

The handful of times I went there, I was not impressed. I'm kind of surprised it lasted as long as it did, as the quality wasn't near the Britton location.

I didn't realize that building had been there since 2004 and Johnnies opened in 2005. So, that is 19 years. I assume their lease is up and they are not renewing it.

I didn't realize that building had been there since 2004 and Johnnies opened in 2005. So, that is 19 years. I assume their lease is up and they are not renewing it.

I'm impressed they lasted that long! I had no idea. That seems like an eternity.

Johnnie's owners are my age. I bet they are slowly winding down.

Johnnie's owners are my age. I bet they are slowly winding down.

Not so fast...
They are launching some new concepts:

https://okcfox.com/news/local/iconic-burger-chain-johnnies-launches-sports-bar-spin-off-johnnies-kitchen-bar-theta-burger-onion-rings-fries-alcohol-yukon-southwest-oklahoma-city

Thanks, Lee Corso. Lol

It's just the appearance from afar.

Not so fast...
They are launching some new concepts:

https://okcfox.com/news/local/iconic-burger-chain-johnnies-launches-sports-bar-spin-off-johnnies-kitchen-bar-theta-burger-onion-rings-fries-alcohol-yukon-southwest-oklahoma-city

To be fair, that was close to 3 months ago now which was a rebranding of a rebranding. There trying hard to make a concept that works. Have to wonder if they are getting exhausted and want to cash out at some point.

The Johnny's express concept had a good run at the May avenue location, lasted over a decade.

Cafe Cuvée in the Ambassador Hotel closing. A new concept coming in its place.
We’re chalking up something special! �� We are excited to announce that Café Cuvée will be transforming into a fresh, new OKC dining concept in May!

Our final service as Café Cuvée will be brunch this Sunday, April 14th. Join us this weekend to say “au revoir” to Café Cuvée and raise a glass to the new chapter ahead. We can’t wait to unveil our new direction and look to you — STAY TUNED! ��

Bummed. This was a great, cozy French place that we loved. Their onion soup was as good as it gets.

Bummed. This was a great, cozy French place that we loved. Their onion soup was as good as it gets.
Yep. This news sucks.

Yep. This news sucks.

I was just in town and went there for lunch. Its a shame I will never go back there again. They were really good, too.

Cafe Cuvée in the Ambassador Hotel closing. A new concept coming in its place.
We’re chalking up something special! �� We are excited to announce that Café Cuvée will be transforming into a fresh, new OKC dining concept in May!

Our final service as Café Cuvée will be brunch this Sunday, April 14th. Join us this weekend to say “au revoir” to Café Cuvée and raise a glass to the new chapter ahead. We can’t wait to unveil our new direction and look to you — STAY TUNED! ��

The "We're chalking up..." makes me think they're bringing The Chalkboard concept from Tulsa.

The "We're chalking up..." makes me think they're bringing The Chalkboard concept from Tulsa.

perhaps but they also put their specials on that chalk board

Well this is a bummer. One of my favorite places, although in fairness I probably only make it there 2-3 times a year. It’s definitely been more of a special occasion place than a regular rotation piece. Gonna miss the Dover sole, deboned at the table. Sneaky good filet mignon…best in OKC outside of a steakhouse (and better than those from more than a few steakhouses).

The "We're chalking up..." makes me think they're bringing The Chalkboard concept from Tulsa.

That would make sense, both properties are Coury Hospitality.

The "We're chalking up..." makes me think they're bringing The Chalkboard concept from Tulsa.

The one time I ate at The Chalkboard in Tulsa I thought it was very good.

Cafe Cuvée in the Ambassador Hotel closing. A new concept coming in its place.
We’re chalking up something special! �� We are excited to announce that Café Cuvée will be transforming into a fresh, new OKC dining concept in May!

Our final service as Café Cuvée will be brunch this Sunday, April 14th. Join us this weekend to say “au revoir” to Café Cuvée and raise a glass to the new chapter ahead. We can’t wait to unveil our new direction and look to you — STAY TUNED! ��

Hopefully the new place will be open for breakfast to dinner. Cuvee was always a good breakfast or brunch spot when the other true breakfast places were busy in the mornings.