Plaza III, Cafe Carmon close 2009

[copperfiend]

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2009/03/23/daily18.html

Two popular Jacksonville eateries have closed their doors.

Plaza III Steakhouse’s last day in business was March 22.

“Based on the economics and what’s going on in Jacksonville we decided to shut down,” said restaurant owner J. Bard McLean.

The restaurant was in the Hyatt Regency on the Northbank. It opened in December 2005 and employed 34.

The Jacksonville Plaza III was one of seven of the Kansas City-based steakhouses. In the last year-and-a-half all but two have closed â€" the flagship in Kansas City and one of the Boston locations.

Cafe Carmon in San Marco also closed March 22. The cafe was founded in 1985 by Phyllis Geiger, who also founded Peterbrooke Chocolatier. Geiger sold the cafe in 1990 to Wayne Davis, who is a member of the family that founded Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. (Nasdaq: WINN). Davis could not be reached for comment.

[jason_contentdg]

So what exactly does he define as "what's going on in Jacksonville"?

[Doctor_K]

Cafe Carmon had been less than stellar the last couple of years, IMO.  It was better earlier in the decade.  Hopefully the new business will fare well.

[copperfiend]

So what exactly does he define as "what's going on in Jacksonville"?

Considering they have closed 5 of their 7 locations in the last year, probably the same as the rest of the country.

[jason_contentdg]

So what exactly does he define as "what's going on in Jacksonville"?

Considering they have closed 5 of their 7 locations in the last year, probably the same as the rest of the country.

Right, I think it seems odd that he phrased it that way.  "Based on the economics and what's going on in Jacksonville..."

[copperfiend]

Agree. Almost like a parting shot.

[Deuce]

Definitely something bitter in that statement. Not only does the chain seem to be going belly up overall, but there are already 2 fine steakhouses downtown. Did we really need another?

[fsujax]

Yes, because it was on the Northbank. Now we have no fine steakhouse dining on the northbank. It is really ashamed to see these places all closing up. And I don't consider Benny's at the Landing fine dining.

[Dapperdan]

I am sure something will open there. The Hyatt location is a great location for a restaurant. If they had to shut down all their restaurants but two, then their business model needs retooling.
I never went there. Were they overpriced? I have been to Ruths Chris once, but my favorite place is Chart House on the Southbank. As long as that place stays, then I am happy.

[kramer2k]

Cafe Carmon had been less than stellar the last couple of years, IMO.  It was better earlier in the decade.  Hopefully the new business will fare well.

I agree.  I went there my once and only time last October-ish for brunch and wasn't impressed.  I was actually a little let down by the experience.  I had heard stellar things about the place, but it was ho-hum. 

[thekillingwax]

I honestly think that Plaza III's busiest times were when they did the cheap lunches for jurors, it was a heck of a good deal when I went there. Then they stopped doing it and I figured they were getting ready to fold. It was a pretty place on the inside too.

[Tripoli1711]

Imagine what a killing whatever the next place that goes into that spot will make once the new waterfront convention center gets built at the courthouse site....

[blizz01]

What was the original place there (Adam's Mark era) called?  It was Italian & the wait staff would walk around & break into song & serenade the diners.  I liked the concept.

[brainstormer]

I like that positive attitude Tripoli!

[Steve]

Interesting Stephen that the restaraunt was sold - I'm curious what they will do.

Regarding Plaza III - it's price point was higher than Outback, but less than Morton's/Ruth's Chris (however closer to Ruth's Chris), and the quality was in between Outback, and Morton's/Ruth's Chris (but closer to Outback IMO).  My feeling is that if I'm going out to spend more than outback prices, I'm going to go out for something real nice, and I'd rather Ruth's Chris.

Something will go in the spot (966 room hotel, and the it does get SOME traffic), but I think something at a lower price point than Plaza III would be better.