American Cafe @ Landing Closed

[tufsu1]

Apparently the American Cafe was evicted from its space on the second floor of the Landing on Tuesday.  Rumor has it that they hadn't been paying rent for several months and payroll checks were occasionally bouncing.

It seems that shutting them down right before this weekend allows the restaurant owners to write off the revenue they will miss out on and that should bring them whole with Sleiman.....plus the Landing may get control of any furniture, equipment, and food/liqour that is still on premises.

When I asked Tony last night if he was happy with the outcome, he said he was thrilled.   

[fsujax]

interesting. another national chain gone from the Landing. Guess Hooters is all that will remain.

[thelakelander]

There are more Chicago Pizza restaurants (4) in Jacksonville than there are American Cafes (2) remaining in the country.  I liked American Cafe at the Landing because their cuisine hit a certain niche in the Landing's dining selections.  I'll miss the crab and pasta pie lunch special.  However, if they're not paying their rent you can't blame the landlord for bouncing them out of the place.

[fsujax]

maybe another new local restaurant will open its place or River Fit gym will expand!

[copperfiend]

Maybe Fuddruckers can open there.

[David]

That's too bad. Their food was middle of the road, maybe a hair above average but that was one of my favorite places to sit and enjoy the view of the river from.

[fieldafm]

The space won't be empty for long.

[Dapperdan]

No Gym. That space needs to be restaurant space.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Maybe Fuddruckers can open there.

Or Wet Willies

[hightowerlover]

awe I liked that place. maybe paris hilton can open a new night club

[KenFSU]

awe I liked that place. maybe paris hilton can open a new night club

And then not show up at the opening, leaving John Peyton to do an awkward solo dance to entertain the crowd...

[I-10east]

Hopefully before the FL/GA game, they will have time to replace AC with a temporary 'museum' of sorts, with a plastic banner as signage. JK

[Captain Zissou]

Last night they were using the space as a staging area for the event in the courtyard. 

I wonder if Toney will try and sell alcohol in the space this weekend.  Is that possible??  I'm sure that space will fill up really fast.  There may even be a tenant already lined up.

BTW- Rush Street looks awful and is nowhere near ready for this weekend.  There was nobody on site working on it.  Fionn McCools had people there 24-7 for the few days leading up to their opening.  Looks like Rush street will miss this weekend.  Fionn's had a couple dozen people in it while I was there.  The courtyard cleared out following the event last night.

[tufsu1]

The space won't be empty for long.

I kind of got that impression from Mr. Sleiman

As for Rush Street, I agree with Zissou that it looks tacky....but there were several people working on it last night, even after 9pm...and they have all the TVs (probably about 50) hung and operating inside and outside....unless there's a problem with their final occupancy permit, they'll be open tonight.

[fieldafm]

Last night they were using the space as a staging area for the event in the courtyard. 

I wonder if Toney will try and sell alcohol in the space this weekend.  Is that possible??  I'm sure that space will fill up really fast.  There may even be a tenant already lined up.

BTW- Rush Street looks awful and is nowhere near ready for this weekend.  There was nobody on site working on it.  Fionn McCools had people there 24-7 for the few days leading up to their opening.  Looks like Rush street will miss this weekend.  Fionn's had a couple dozen people in it while I was there.  The courtyard cleared out following the event last night.

The only thing I ascertained from your post is that you went to a bikini contest last night... sinner