Sleiman Welcomes Village Bread and Chicago Pizza to the Landing:

[stephendare]

via the Daily Record:  http://jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php

When Chicago Pizza and Village Bread Cafe open this month, it will bring to seven the number of new businesses that have set up shop this year at the Landing. That’s exactly the opposite of the trend among shopping centers due to the slump in the economy.

On Nov. 13, 2003 Sleiman Enterprises became the Landing’s new owner and manager. Partner Toney Sleiman addressed several hundred people in the riverfront mall’s courtyard that night with the message, “It’s about time.” Since then, the mix of tenants at the Landing has changed with a shift away from retail stores and toward more entertainment venues and events.

In addition to having become a popular nightlife destination, the Landing’s location is perfect for restaurants and food court vendors to do great business during the week.

“We have a captive audience for lunch,” said Sleiman. “Shopping centers in the suburbs don’t have 40,000 people to draw from.”

The Landing also has a staff that programs more than 600 events each year. It’s a way to give people a reason to come to the Landing, said Director of Public Relations Rachel Nudge.

“One of the things that sets us apart from other shopping centers is having an in-house marketing and event team. We drive traffic to the Landing and just about all of the events are free and open to the public. We want people to understand there’s always something going on here,” she added.

[TPC]

I'm looking forward to the Chicago Pizza opening up. I think they should do pretty well considering they will cater to the same sports bar crowd as hooters.

[buckethead]

Go Squealers?

Bring your dirty laundry. (terrible towells)

[Steve]

^Careful.  Tennessee stomped on the towl last December, and has yet to win a game.  Respect the towel.

[Jason]

Since then, the mix of tenants at the Landing has changed with a shift away from retail stores and toward more entertainment venues and events.

IMO, Toney is brilliant for making this change.

[buckethead]

^Careful.  Tennessee stomped on the towl last December, and has yet to win a game.  Respect the towel.

I could care less about obese people carting filthy laundry about town.

It's their perogative. Respect it? I shall not.

[tufsu1]

I am confused...Toney doesn't mention how the "draconian" parking rules downtown affect his daytime business?

[Lucasjj]

They have to carry the towels around. How else would they polish all of those rings?

[chipwich]

I ate at Village Bread Cafe today and must say I was very impressed.  My sandwich was really good, the brownies were great and the staff was friendly and helpful as well.

Nice place, good people, good food.  I will return again.

Just thought I would throw that out and give a compliment to a new restaurant downown.  I hope they make it.  If you are thinking about lunch, give them a try. ( I don't know if they are open for dinner, but I am sure they probably are)

[tufsu1]

Village Bread is open for breakfast and lunch...no dinner.

I've had breakfast there twice and been impressed both times.

[thelakelander]

Better than Karlene's breakfast?

[subro]

I also want to give props to Village Bread Café for going the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. I called them this morning as I wanted to try one of their sandwiches and I asked the woman who answered the phone if she recommended their Roast Beef or their Rueben. She sold me on the Roast Beef and said that it would be ready in 15 min. I walked over to pick it up and was advised that the woman had left and had neglected to put my order in. The staff was very apologetic and gave me a free pastry. While I was waiting the 5 min for my order, the manager/owner(?) came over and refunded the entire purchase. The sandwich was above average size and very tasty. (RB, Bacon, Swiss, LTO on Wheat). Sandwich and a generous side salad for $8. The photo below doesn’t do it justice and is only showing ½ the sandwich. I will definitely be back

[JaxLanding]

I ate at Village Bread Cafe today and must say I was very impressed.  My sandwich was really good, the brownies were great and the staff was friendly and helpful as well.

Nice place, good people, good food.  I will return again.

Just thought I would throw that out and give a compliment to a new restaurant downown.  I hope they make it.  If you are thinking about lunch, give them a try. ( I don't know if they are open for dinner, but I am sure they probably are)

So glad you are enjoying it!!  We knew we had a winner when we visited their original location on Philips Hwy where they are packed for breakfast and lunch every day.  They actually began as a bakery, alone.  They make their own bread, danish and pastries fresh daily.

To answer your question, Village Bread Cafe is only open for breakfast and lunch.  They close each day at 3pm.  However, during larger events like the upcoming New Year's/Gator Bowl, they will stay open later to accomodate the increased traffic.

[JaxLanding]

subro:
What a fantastic story.  I'm going to share this example of "customer service done well" at our restaurant meeting tomorrow.  It sounds like the staff definitely took what could have been a customer service nightmare and turned it into a great example of how to claim responsibility and make the customer happy.

[Keith-N-Jax]

I hope not, what a disaster that would be.