Bahama Breeze

[dismayed]

Landry's food is so much better than Joe's. I wish they'd come back to Oklahoma.

[Easy180]

OKC’s Lake Hefner loses its Breeze

By Heidi Rambo Centrella - 5/3/2007


Bahama Breeze no longer will provide Oklahoma City residents the island-themed atmosphere at Lake Hefner. The Orlando-based Darden Restaurants closed its Oklahoma City location in addition to nine other locations nationwide.


The eatery, which opened in October 2000, closed after business April 27 and notified its more than 100 employees on the morning of April 28.


“This in no way reflects on their (the employees) work,” said Mike Bernstein, director of media and communications at Darden. “The problem was the location and/or the trade area was not right for the Bahama Breeze brand, or the local market conditions had changed since we opened there.”


Developer and property owner Randy Hogan, principal of Stonegate-Hogan, learned about the closing via a phone call the morning of April 28. He is working with Darden Restaurants in a joint effort to explore options for the location.


“It’s a fantastic site,” Hogan said. “And [the replacement restaurant] has to be one that complements our overall mix. We’re not going to allow a concept to come in and compete directly with our existing restaurants. So, that’s the trick on this - something that complements what’s already here and is a great addition to the lake.”

Already, Hogan said, he has received several inquiries.


Bernstein said the Oklahoma City location never reached the level of profitability that they need and, again, indicated location was an issue.


“Our best performing locations have strong access and visibility, they’re in a dominant retail focal point of a densely populated market, and it’s also important to be close to an office or a daytime population,” he said. “And too many of those elements were missing in this case.”


The decision, Bernstein said, better positions the company for growth.


“You couldn’t rule out, at some point in the future, of being back in the Oklahoma City market,” he said. “But that’s not on the table right now.”

[jbrown84]

I like how he acts as if the brand isn't in major trouble. NINE other locations. It's not just OKC.

[Julesc2001]

Yeah, putting the blame on the location not reaching the "level of profitability" - whatever.

I guess Randy Hogan shot down our chance for a Pappadeaux...

[jbrown84]

So how was Pearl's not conflicting with Bahama Breeze?

[bandnerd]

Completely different types of food. Pearl's is more cajun-seafood inspired, I think and Bahama Breeze was Caribbean. Sure, they both had seafood...but so does Red Rock.

[writerranger]

I like how he acts as if the brand isn't in major trouble. NINE other locations. It's not just OKC.

Exactly. I was reading that story thinking he's spinning and not telling the truth about the problems with the brand.

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[writerranger]

Completely different types of food. Pearl's is more cajun-seafood inspired, I think and Bahama Breeze was Caribbean. Sure, they both had seafood...but so does Red Rock.

As for Red Rock, how is "location" not effecting their business? They seem to always have lines out the door. At least the last few times I've been there. However, it has been awhile. Anybody know how they're doing?

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[kmf563]

I was there last night. They are doing great. They've added the live music on the patio which has helped business. They also just have really good food and that helps. They have great service and management also, and that shows.

[jbrown84]

Clearly it's a matter of Bahama Breeze not being good enough to be a "destination" restaurant that it needs to be in that location. Yeah, of course you are going to have to have a little extra pull to get people to come out to the East Wharf, but Red Rock and Pearl's don't seem to be having any trouble.

[Easy180]

Was Bahama the only one of the three main reastaurants open for lunch?...I know Louie's is but thats a smaller and more causal kind of place

My guess is Bahama's needs to pull in a good lunch crowd as well to be profitable and that isn't a good location for people to get in and out of quickly

[Julesc2001]

I heard yesterday from a Manager of another Darden Restaurant in the area that Hal Smith has already purchased the Bahama Breeze location... should be exciting.

[Easy180]

He wouldn't put a Charleston's there would he?....Hope not

[kmf563]

What about that Islands restaurant idea from Norman...what's the news with that, wonder if he would put that at Hefner with a Pearls there already. He's also joined forces with others in the past though (toby keith's and louie's) so it doesn't necessarily have to be a hal smith name restaurant...could be anything! but i bet it's good.

[okclee]

Is the "Islands Restaurant" still open in Norman? I don't think that it is, I believe that location is now Othello's Italian.

[jbkrems]

okclee, yes, Islands in Norman WAS Othello's, and then Othello's CLOSED down and moved to Bricktown.

I think a Charleston's would probably be placed there, because there is none in that part of town. The closest Charleston's facility is at NW Expressway and MacArthur-ish. But this would be a more central location, east of Lake Hefner, and would draw people from the surrounding community. It also would give Hal Smith complete control of the restaurants at Lake Hefner: Pearl's Lakeside, Redrock, Louie's, and now a new Charleston's, ALL are owned by Hal Smith Co.

[jbrown84]

Surely there is no need for a Charleston's there. There is also one at 33rd and Broadway in Edmond.

[okclee]

Maybe Has Smith has a new restaurant theme, that we haven't seen as of yet.

[BaconCheeseburgerDeluxe]

I would like to see something OKC has never seen before. We have plenty of Italian, Mexican, Seafpod, BBQ, Bar & Grill and Chinese restaurants.

I hope they do not turn it into a 18 to enter night club or something like that.

[Patrick]

I love how the guy from Darden tried to blame it on Oklahoma City and the location. At dinner time, that place was always packed. My wife and I tried to go awhile back, and they had a 3 hour wait, on a Friday night.

I think it's the whole Bahama Breeze chain that's in trouble. I don't think blaming OKC or location is appropriate.

[John]

Glad to see Hal having control of all of East Wharf's eateries.

I don't know if I can see him putting in a Charleston's right there, especially with Red Rock a door down. Their offerings are a little too close, but it'll be interesting to see what comes of it.

[metro]

Yeah I think Charleston's would be a dumb move and like John said the offerings too close to Pearl's, Red Rock and others, it needs to be a new unique concept.

[kmf563]

yea, and the location on broadway is still fairly new, I don't think he would build one that close. oh and don't even joke about a nightclub. bleck. what a way to ruin the setting!

[soonerborn]

Maybe I just hit the place on a bad night but my last experience at BB was horrible. Bad service. Bad food. Bad attitude from the wait staff. This was a major contrast to my earlier experiences at the restaurant where everything was top notch. Maybe the employees knew the end was near and they were just going through the motions.

[metalhead]

That place was always busy as hell. I don't see how they could close due to lack of business. Granted, I've only been there on weekends, so maybe they were slow throughout the week.