Nicky's G's Pizza Photo Update
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-2673-p1050108.JPG)
According to Urban Jacksonville, Nicky G's Brick Oven Pizza is scheduled to open their doors on Monday, October 22, 2007. Here are a few images of where things currently stand.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/621
is that last picture their only sign? it seems unappealing. overall, i can't wait, though.
The inside of the place looks good. Cannot wait to go there. Agree on the signage. I wonder what options he had.
i know there are fairly strict signs regarding it, but with the sign that dive bar has, i would think they could do better than that. i'd rather see them open than wait on a good sign, though. maybe they're working on it.
I was really expecting some better signage as well. The blue neon lighting at night is eye catching, but you cant really read the text on the sign.
Yo Nicky G, get ova here! :)
obviously its not their only sign....their entire window front is a sign!
We ran into some issued with the sign. When we first attempted to put it up, we were told it could take anywhere from 30-60 days. Something about having to sit in at a meeting and ask for approval to put a sign on our building (load of crap). So I called a city councilman, he had someone else get back in touch with me who gave me parameters I had to meet in order to hang the sign. So I went through all this crap just to hang a sign. So my sign guy brings the final drawing in for approval and the guy tells him, "Is that all you are gonna put up, you guys should make it a lot bigger." Needless to say, I was pissed. But once we get open we will have a much bigger, more like dive bar sign put up. For now, I am just gonna have to go with that. I am hoping the neon blue attracts you guys likes mosquito's though, lol. Thanks for posting everyone, hope to see you for Monday Night Football. Beer and Pizza at Nicky G's.
Mike Maloney
i will be there :)
Quote from: Nicky Gs Pizza on October 17, 2007, 06:55:37 PM
We ran into some issued with the sign. When we first attempted to put it up, we were told it could take anywhere from 30-60 days. Something about having to sit in at a meeting and ask for approval to put a sign on our building (load of crap). So I called a city councilman, he had someone else get back in touch with me who gave me parameters I had to meet in order to hang the sign. So I went through all this crap just to hang a sign. So my sign guy brings the final drawing in for approval and the guy tells him, "Is that all you are gonna put up, you guys should make it a lot bigger." Needless to say, I was pissed. But once we get open we will have a much bigger, more like dive bar sign put up. For now, I am just gonna have to go with that. I am hoping the neon blue attracts you guys likes mosquito's though, lol. Thanks for posting everyone, hope to see you for Monday Night Football. Beer and Pizza at Nicky G's.
Mike Maloney
I'm definately looking forward to Monday night. Btw, if you guys need help getting a sign approved or navigating your way through city hall, let us know.
Went to Nicy G's tonight (Sunday)! They were open and the pizza was great. We will be there quite often! I hope that everyone gets out there and supports them.
Quote from: 77danj7 on October 21, 2007, 09:30:59 PM
Went to Nicy G's tonight (Sunday)! They were open and the pizza was great. We will be there quite often! I hope that everyone gets out there and supports them.
now that is some good news!
Just had it for lunch. It was AWESOME. Great job guys!!!
Do they have a menu online somewhere? I'd be interested in seeing what they serve up other than Pizza.
http://www.sparcouncil.org/menus/NickyGs_Oct4.pdf
I ate at Nicky G's on Monday and the food was great! I went with the Stromboli. They have such a selection of specialty pizzas, although they weren't serving them by the slice despite listing their prices on the menu. They also carry about 10 differnet hot sauces that you have to try at least one on your food. mmm, I'm getting hungry thinking about it. ;D
Glad to hear everyone is enjoying the food. Sorry about the specialty slice confusion. That wasn't supposed to be printed on the menu. We serve specialty pizza by the slice, but we only do certain specialty pizza slices on certain days. However, you can get a whole specialty pizza anytime. Look forward to seeing everyone down there.
Mike
Nice crowd in there tonight. I know it's Georgia/Florida, but hopefully business will be good.
Got a pie from there last night, it was great, so much more like the ones I'm used to from up north. I love that it's truly a hand tossed pizza...it's also a very nice looking place. It's somewhere I'll be getting to know on a frequent basis!
Ok, I see Thursday, Friday and Saturday they are open late. But what exactly is "late"? I tried to lead a group of people there around 2am or so Saturday (Sunday morning) and was kinda disappointed to see that they were closed.
I walked in Saturday, just as the Fl/Ga ended. They had run out of a good many things according to the few folks I spoke with. A few irate customers were making themselves heard while I was there also. I felt for the gang at G's. It has to be tough to just be open a few days and then be slammed with the crowds that is the Fl/Ga gameday. I'm sure they did great for the majority of their customers...a few are never happy.
I brought the family in there on Friday night. The food was excellent!!! Wings were better than anyone in Jax!! Pizza was just like back home!! The place was packed with the Fl/Ga fans so service was a little slow but that was cool because it gave us a little time to look around at the decor and the family pics on the tables... This place is going to be huge!! Congratulations Maloney and Tidwell and anyone else involved in the venture!!! I know of at least a few of us Springfielders who will be there often...
I ate there Monday night before the Jags game and my pizza was great! The service was a little slow but I completely understood with it being the first night, and slammed with people. I look forward to trying a lot of different pizzas there - very creative toppings and names!
If the menus are going to have to be re-printed because of the specialty slice issue, may I make a suggestion? You might want to have a copy editor look it over for spelling errors - I saw one glaring one that should be fixed. You have an apostrophe in "Hero's" where it should not be. It's "Heroes." Some dorks like me can't let it go when we see random apostrophes.
I have tried to eat there twice and they were closed both times. Once on the Friday before the Fl, Ga weekend and they weren't open until 2. I tried again today and they were closed for plumbing. I may or may not try again.
It's worth trying it again...maybe you should call before going, so you won't be disappointed 356-7200
Sorry about the hours. Saturday we had to close at ten because our bathrooms got flooded from people flushing paper towels and femine products. It was fixed today and we will be open tomorrow. Wednesday night we will be closed because I am taking my kids trick or treating since they are starting to forget who there dad is :-). We stayed open till 2:30 thursday and didn't get any late night crowd. We were open till 12 or 1 friday and again had nobody in there. We will continue to stay open late, how late just depends on what the late night crowd is. I hope everyone understands I can't logistically stay open from 11-3am for two or three people to come in. We will continue to try it out though and see what happens. I wish jax would have an open container ordinace put in for thursday,friday and saturday nite. Hope everyone is enjoying the food and our servers are getting better every day. Thanks for the support,even if you are a redsux, I mean sox fan, GO YANKS.
Maloney
haha...Redsux...that is what I call them!
Go Yanks! We can now get back to winning since L-Rod (loser Rod) is gone!
I had unfortunately had to settle for less than par pizza tonight since my new favorite was closed but I'll be back this week!
That's o.k. you don't have to call us Red Sux fans anymore!! Now you can just call us THE CHAMPS!!!!!! Go ahead and blame your season on Gay-Rod, he had a better year than anyone else on that team.. "MVP"!! How bout putting some of the blame on his bunk mate Jeter?? No one ever says anything bad about him... He had a sub-par year but nobody says anything about that.. What do the Yankers do?? Gee lets fire the greatest baseball manager in history, DUH!! Yeah, that'll get you another championship real fast!! Hank and Cashman both suck and as long as they are in charge you can just keep calling us THE CHAMPS!!! Now, go back and try Nicky G's again it's awesome!!!!!
Golden Boy Jeter is more to blame than A-Rod this postseason...He was terrible. I think he hit into 4 inning ending double plays in the last 2 games alone! Yes, the ownership is stupid...to "offer" a contract to Torre like that is an insult to a great manager.
Are the Sux going to ante up and pay Lowell?
Hopefully Nicky G's will be open tonight so I can get some good pizza....and I'll take another calzone they are great at Nicky G's!
God, I hope they keep Lowell, We dont need A-Rod and his antics.
(http://www.nychoke.com/images/a-rod%20slap.jpg)
If you don't have set hours you will run into problems. Just ask Henrietta's, Springfiedl Station, etc.....
You are running a restaurant and if your hours say 2:00, then you damn better be open at 12:00.
Sorry, that is why the chain restaurants do so well. Consistent food and hours. You can have the best Pizza, but you have to have consistentsy.
Good luck!
DTP that pic is funny as hell and too appropriate!! I think the Sox will go against their rules and sign Lowell again. After hearing some of the interviews with him, he seems like he'll be willing to agree to a contract that helps out both sides and not be greedy.. Theo is saying that Lowell is the #1 job to get done, so we'll see.. I hope the Sox don't go after A-Rod, he's too expensive and even if you spend that kind of money, as the Yanks learned, there's no guarantee you're gonna win..
Quote from: Nicky Gs Pizza on October 29, 2007, 09:24:22 PM
Sorry about the hours. Saturday we had to close at ten because our bathrooms got flooded from people flushing paper towels and femine products. It was fixed today and we will be open tomorrow. Wednesday night we will be closed because I am taking my kids trick or treating since they are starting to forget who there dad is :-). We stayed open till 2:30 thursday and didn't get any late night crowd. We were open till 12 or 1 friday and again had nobody in there. We will continue to stay open late, how late just depends on what the late night crowd is. I hope everyone understands I can't logistically stay open from 11-3am for two or three people to come in. We will continue to try it out though and see what happens. I wish jax would have an open container ordinace put in for thursday,friday and saturday nite. Hope everyone is enjoying the food and our servers are getting better every day. Thanks for the support,even if you are a redsux, I mean sox fan, GO YANKS.
Maloney
I would agree to a point with springfieldlover (forget about the plumbing thing - these things happen). It is frustrating to come to a business and not have consistent hours (the barber shop on adams was the same way, as well as a bunch of other businesses), but I do understand your point that there is a minimum cost to running a business (lights on, pay employees, etc).
Now, what about this? Even on those nights where you would open late, list 9 or 10 as your closing time, and say, "open later by demand" or something to that effect. Then if it's a slow night, stay open until 9 or 10 (whatever you post), and close right at 10. If's a good night, stay open until 11, 12, 1 AM, or whatever demand supports. This way at least if a patron wants to find you, they know excatly when they can find you. as a patron, I'd much rather be surprised by a business that's open unexpectedly, then to come downtown, and find you closed.
With that said, I personally have a 0% share in the ownership of your place, and you are free to do what you wish. I think you guys have a great place with great food!
For me the main selling point was the really late hours. I found it to be a nice idea to have a place that you could leave a bar or the Landing at 2am and then go down to Bay Street and find a place open that you can eat at, because right now there isn't a place downtown to do that. Personally I would have liked to see a late night diner type place open up downtown but when you have a few drinks in you, most types of food will do. Maybe right now it's just a matter of word of mouth as far as getting the late night traffic in. Because if you're not at Dive Bar, Mark's, TSI or living at Berkman, I wonder if the average person that's downtown at night even knows of the place.
Some of the others are absolutely correct. The hours of operation must be etched in granite. It maybe a bit of a double edged sword, but the only way people will eventually come in the late hours is if the place is always open at the stated times.
QuoteWednesday night we will be closed because I am taking my kids trick or treating since they are starting to forget who there dad is :-).
Oh you poor thing. What did you expect? Welcome to the club. This ain't no government / union job. Just wait 'till the bills start arriving.
Steve,
I like your idea, I think we will give that a try and see what happens. Hopefully at some point we will attract a late night crowd all the time.
Moran's a pretty classy guy. Looking forward to his next come back. He's got me in tears over here :-). Thanks to everyone else for the patience. We will try that thing with the hours and see what happens.
Mike
Meanwhile I'm still trying to recover from feeling 100 years old after reading the posts about going there after 2am! When I saw the sign you were open late, I was thinking 10 or 11, maybe 12. Who on earth is still awake at 2am? I love the idea of having somewhere to go late night, but I'm thinking if you're still up at 2 it's time to go to Waffle House or IHOP.
I vaguely remember staying up that late in my early twenties, but I have too much to do in the mornings now to waste the entire day after a night that late. Hangovers weren't that bad those days, either.
Anyway Mr. Nicky G, thank you for your patience with all our suggestions as we are just excited to have more downtown options! I will never understand women who flush paper towels. Make sure you keep the toilet paper stocked or people will sometimes resort to using whatever is available.
I'm looking forward to my next pizza there and I hope you can put up with all the challenges.
Jerry,
Are you sure your last name isn't moron? In case you forgot, these guys do have a government job that also keeps them away from their families for 24 hours at a time and on any holiday that their shift happens to fall on, even holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving that everyone else is off for. You might want to cut them some slack and appreciate the other commitments and sacrifices they make for this community and not give them crap for closing a few hours early to take their kids trick-or-treating.
Keep up the great work Mike. You have been open a week, I am certain you will work out the kinks!
Come 'on Jaxfan. Let's keep this conversation respectful please. ;)
QuoteJerry,
Are you sure your last name isn't moron? In case you forgot, these guys do have a government job that also keeps them away from their families for 24 hours at a time and on any holiday that their shift happens to fall on, even holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving that everyone else is off for. You might want to cut them some slack and appreciate the other commitments and sacrifices they make for this community and not give them crap for closing a few hours early to take their kids trick-or-treating.
Oh jeez, there's that first day of nursery school insult again. Very original. After living and working in downtown Jacksonville for the last 5 years, there is nothing you could possible do or say that would offend me. It's already been tried.
I just think it's cute that someone would open a restaurant, and after a week, comment about the long hours and incidental social sacrifices. No offense intended towards the owner. I can't do that until I taste the pizza. Lots of good luck to him.
I've been at it for 34 years. There are no holidays, days off, or time for friends or family in this business. Ex: Back in 1986, we opened the restaurant after my father's funeral. Why? It was a Friday night and had 40 employee mouths to feed.
A job at the firehouse is infinitely more comfortable than a job in the kitchen, and you get the respect of the community, and loads of benefits and time off too. It will be interesting to see if the firemen can
take the heat.
Quote from: Jerry Moran on October 31, 2007, 03:12:18 PMI just think it's cute that someone would open a restaurant, and after a week, comment about the long hours and incidental social sacrafices. No offense intended towards the owner. I can't do that until I taste the pizza. Lots of good luck to him.
I've been at it for 34 years. There are no holidays, days off, or time for friends or family in this business. Ex: Back in 1986, we opened the restaurant after my father's funeral. Why? It was a Friday night and had 40 employee mouths to feed.
A job at the firehouse is infinitely more comfortable than a job in the kitchen, and you get the respect of the community, and loads of benefits and time off too. It will be interesting to see if the firemen can take the heat.
Wow - nothing like a "Welcome to the Neighborhood" from Jerry Moran!
It's too bad they aren't next door neighbors. That would be even more entertaining.
QuoteJerry Moran link=topic=1053.msg7687#msg7687 date=1193857938]
Oh jeez, there's that first day of nursery school insult again. Very original. After living and working in downtown Jacksonville for the last 5 years, there is nothing you could possible do or say that would offend me. It's already been tried.
I just think it's cute that someone would open a restaurant, and after a week, comment about the long hours and incidental social sacrafices. No offense intended towards the owner. I can't do that until I taste the pizza. Lots of good luck to him.
I've been at it for 34 years. There are no holidays, days off, or time for friends or family in this business. Ex: Back in 1986, we opened the restaurant after my father's funeral. Why? It was a Friday night and had 40 employee mouths to feed.
The benefits and time off that fire fighters have, are well worth the investment! Your job doesn't come close to what these men and women do, and as a community, we should all be grateful. Let's not forget, they're going into buildings that others are running out of!
As for them commenting on how hard it is to open a business and find out how difficult it is to have a full time job, a family and then another full time job as a new business owner....why not be more supportive all the way around?! They're doing a good job, the food's great and they had the gumption to open a new business...I think it's perfectly okay that they're expressing how hard it is, and I for one, support them instead of putting them down!
QuoteThe benefits and time off that fire fighters have, are well worth the investment! Your job doesn't come close to what these men and women do, and as a community, we should all be grateful. Let's not forget, they're going into buildings that others are running out of!
No, No, No, you're all wrong. Cooks are the most important people in the world. If mankind didn't have cooks, everyone would starve and die. Without people on earth, who would there be to build fire traps, set fires, be rescued, or do the rescuing? It's all very simple, you see... Cooks are at the top of the heap.
Thanks for all the support guys. Trick or treating went great with the family. We had another kick butt lunch today. I am hoping sunday will be pretty busy since New England and Indy are playing. I am guessing I will see soxfan down there so he can cheer on his Patriots. It's ok, I like Brady, I might even sit down and have beer with you Jimbo.
The kinks are continuing to work themselves out. We definitly aren't having the waiting periods we had the first few days. We developed a lunch menu seperate from our dinner menu. It consist of things that can be made a lot quicker so people can get in and out on there lunch break. We still had one or two groups that order 2 or 3 large specialty pizza's and expect to get them in under 20 minutes, but that's expected, no big deal, they were understanding once I explained to them that couldn't be done during lunch rush. Other then that, we have been getting nothing but excellent feed back about the food, so that's a good thing.
And thanks to all you fire figher supporters out there. It's people like you that make guys like us pick neighborhoods like Springfield and Downtown to work in. I have more plans for things to open downtown aside from a restraunt. There are two or three other idea's that I have. Hopefully within the next 3-5 years I can accomplish those. I have a promising future managment staff at Nicky G's that will hopefully free up some time for me to start working on those other things. So as soon as we get our loans payed, which at this rate will be soon, I can get started on some other projects. Once I am ready for that, I am gonna need some more feed back from you guys on some of my ideas. Thanks again, hope to see all you football fans at Nicky G's on Sunday.
Maloney
Glad to hear that trick or treating went well.. I stopped by the Deuce with a hay ride full of trick or treaters. We caught the guys off guard. I left a message there for you. I forgot the guys name but he had a spider web tat on his right elbow... Any ways, I will try to be there Sunday to buy that beer for you. I have some friends that are big time Colts fans, so I've made some plans to be there to spoil there day... You know how it is... We'll be in again soon for another pie though, I'm already craving it!!!
Im in for the Pat/Colts game!!!
Nicky G congrats on the new place sounds like it is going good. What is the status on the propsed bar next door?
I ate at Nicky G's again today. OMG, It was delicious. Every time I try a new pie, I have a new favorite.
"Moran," I can imagine you have heard your share of the stupid names... Mine is "MANN" and brother I have too..."Susquash" took the photo for the MetroJacksonville article. He was the little kid next door that played with the Mann Kids. We considered naming them, "Monkey Mann", "Peking Mann", "Piltdown Mann", "Neanderthal Mann", and "Cro-magnon Mann". But since three were in fact young Women, it didn't work out. Now gosh darn it, Susquash, has gone and hooked up with the Would-Be "Cro-magnon" (Who turned out to be a female Mann) and they have produced a little Robert, damn the luck! Little Robert was in to see y'all on his first restaurant outing, at one month, he still prefers his meals on tap. Hell's bells, my momma was a Mann! Well, really a Scot until my Daddy made a Mann out of her! Oh damn, I'm never too proud to admit am a lesbian trapped in a Mann's Body... I'll bring the whole race in to see y'all soon.
Ocklawaha
Ate at Nicky G's for the first time with Stephanie , my wife, last night. It was great! Atmosphere great, food even better. If you havent tried this place....Go!
I went to Nicky G's Pizza last night after leaving Gold's Gym, eventhough they close at 8pm M-W, they still let me in and made me a pizza. I have to say the was pizza great! I wanted to encourage everyone to go check this place out and support them as much as possible. Very good experience last night. Thanks to the guy behind the counter who made my pizza after they closed.
From UrbanJacksonville: Nicky G's is for sale. Looks like they do not intend to close down though.
http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2007/12/10/tis-the-season-to-sell-your-restaurant-on-craigslist/
Hey Maloney !!! C-Shift needs a Pizza.. Want to send one up to Manchester Township ??? The place looks nice, I wish we were closer, we would be their all the time. I know my New York wife, and Conley, would kick my ass for this, but "Go Orioles" !!! LOL !! MOUL
Eat there a couple weeks ago. They had new staff. No reflection on the original staff but this last time the pizza was HORRIBLE!! The waitress told me they would be closing down soon if they didnt find a buyer. That sucks because this placed showed alot of promise and it used to have excellent food.
I ate there for the 1st time 2-3 weeks ago on a Friday night and was very disappointed.
The pizza was ok, but not great. I hoped it would be a decent casual place for dinner. Sort of like a Mellow Mushroom or maybe Moonriver Pizza in Murray Hill. Unfortunately, it definitely felt like a lunch place. In fact, it felt EXACTLY like a Firehouse Subs.
So far, the only thing I have found that is worth crossing the river for is Chew. I really like that place. I need to try La Cena sometime because I hear that it is pretty good too.
But I would like to see a good casual place for dinner with more of an urban feel to it. Maybe someone will take over Nicky's and give it a makeover.
I'm sad to hear that things have gotten worse, since they opened. Hopefully, they can pull it back together before its too late.
Quote from: Southbanker on January 29, 2008, 12:00:55 AM
I ate there for the 1st time 2-3 weeks ago on a Friday night and was very disappointed.
The pizza was ok, but not great. I hoped it would be a decent casual place for dinner. Sort of like a Mellow Mushroom or maybe Moonriver Pizza in Murray Hill. Unfortunately, it definitely felt like a lunch place. In fact, it felt EXACTLY like a Firehouse Subs.
So far, the only thing I have found that is worth crossing the river for is Chew. I really like that place. I need to try La Cena sometime because I hear that it is pretty good too.
But I would like to see a good casual place for dinner with more of an urban feel to it. Maybe someone will take over Nicky's and give it a makeover.
La Cena is excellent, but not someplace you'd go every day, just because of the price - an entree can be over $30 easily.
This is bad news. I thought they were doing great. I guess we just need more residence downtown.
Y'all, I'm pretty sure it's too late - I have walked by during their normal hours a couple times this week and they were closed.
Personally I don't blame it on the lack of downtown residents - I went there a lot and I know a lot of people who did. I blame it on their refusal to listen to all the complaints about service. EVERYONE gave them slack at the beginning but they never tried to make it better and it was always miserable.
If you can't get your food ordered when you come in, you won't come back.
Someone told me the other day that when they gave them the wrong pizza, they just said "sorry." Didn't try to get them the right one, or anything.
I agree with the above...If it is to late I don't blame it on lack of downtown "residents." They definitely had a good following at the beginning and it would have only grown had the service been even somewhat respectable.
Obviously they didn't have to 5star restaurant quality service but the service that I have heard that customers received was 0star service. It is really unfortunate because they really had an idea/product that could have done great.
Unfortunately the blame for this closing can only fall on management and their lack of cooperation in providing customers some decent service.
Quote from: Madelane on January 30, 2008, 02:02:53 PM
Y'all, I'm pretty sure it's too late - I have walked by during their normal hours a couple times this week and they were closed.
Personally I don't blame it on the lack of downtown residents - I went there a lot and I know a lot of people who did. I blame it on their refusal to listen to all the complaints about service. EVERYONE gave them slack at the beginning but they never tried to make it better and it was always miserable.
If you can't get your food ordered when you come in, you won't come back.
Someone told me the other day that when they gave them the wrong pizza, they just said "sorry." Didn't try to get them the right one, or anything.
If the service and overall attitude was that bad no wonder they are closing. I've never eaten there.
From JaxDailyRecord:
• Nicky G’s pizza on Bay Street no longer has wait staff service. Everything is done from the counter now.
Counter service is probably the best thing they could have done. I will still eat there since their pizza is good if I go in expecting to serve myself!
Is it that hard to wait on a few tables when there is a staff or 5 or 6 working? They never have more then 2 or 3 tables at any time. Bottom Line: They're closing because of terrible service and crappy food.
yes the service was terrible. But the food was not bad. Good enough for takeout at least.
Unfortunately, this thread outlasted Nicky G's....
Quote• If you were thinking about going to Nicky G’s Pizza on East Bay Street for lunch today, you’re one day too late. The restaurant has been closed and the owners evicted. The landlord was in the building Tuesday morning to let the staff from the City Rescue Mission collect the food that was left in the refrigerators and freezers. It’s too soon for any details, but don’t be surprised to see another eatery open in the space since so much renovation was done before the pizza place opened.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/citynotes.php
The tone of that article sounds like things got ugly.
You may have a great idea, but not everyone can run a business. Stephen, is the rent still too high there? I would love to see you on Bay St.
I think the idea was better than the product. I don't know of anybody that was very satisfied with their experience there.
Quote from: Madelane on January 30, 2008, 02:02:53 PM
Y'all, I'm pretty sure it's too late - I have walked by during their normal hours a couple times this week and they were closed.
Personally I don't blame it on the lack of downtown residents - I went there a lot and I know a lot of people who did. I blame it on their refusal to listen to all the complaints about service. EVERYONE gave them slack at the beginning but they never tried to make it better and it was always miserable.
If you can't get your food ordered when you come in, you won't come back.
Someone told me the other day that when they gave them the wrong pizza, they just said "sorry." Didn't try to get them the right one, or anything.
Yea i've actually withheld my judgement on this place because I want businesses downtown to thrive, but...man i gave them like 6 tries. I think out of the 6 visits, it was only twice they got my SIMPLE order right and got it to me within 20 minutes.
The other 4 I was on my lunch break and had to wait at least 20 minutes for two friggin slices of pizza.
So much potential, but with them selling the joint a few months on craigslist after opening and whatnot, they were doomed from the start.
Put a firehouse in there~! renna's...something, please.
Think we could start a petition to get Moon River to open a downtown location? mmmmmmm now thats good pizza!
Anyway, You really hate for something like this to happen. You really, really want businesses to succeed, especially downtown, and when they dont I find it quite stinging... Especially since the guy used to post on here and seemed excited to open the place up.... But, if you all say it was that bad....
You cant make a bad business work, whether it be downtown or in the suburbs.
The only bad business that works in North Florida is run from 117 W. Duval Street.
I just think the owners may have been in way over their heads. Businesses require planning, patience and hard work. I think these guys may just have been hoping on a "build it and they will come" train of thought. I feel bad that their business failed.
I can't tell you how many busy downtown nights I saw this place closed. I mean times like FL-GA weekend and New Years Eve (times when you actually had hundreds, if not thousands of people walking up and down Bay St. looking for a place to eat.) That said, if you can't even be open when your customers need you the most and can't get simple orders right or feel that it is ok to make patrons wait for up to an hour to get their food even when there are no more than 5 or 6 other customers, then maybe you should be in another line of work; because running a restaurant just isn't your cup of tea.
Another pizza joint coming to Bay Street.
Quote• Some changes at Bay Street Town Center. A new pizza joint will soon go in the space formerly occupied by Nicky G’s and Foolish Boutique has closed.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/citynotes.php
well, let's hope that if this is true....that they'll do better
Can only go up hill. If they stay open late like Nicky G's claimed they were going to do they should be able to get a lot of late night business along with the lunch and the growing downtown dinner crowd.
there were lights on in the place tonight...so something is happening
Hopefully they will upgrade the decor. Nicky G's felt like a Firehouse Subs.
It would be nice to have a pizza place downtown like Moon River Pizza or Mellow Mushroom. Some place you would want to go to for dinner, not just lunch.
I agree. The place seemed a little sterile. They should dim the lighting and put in more comfortable seating.
I think there should be a Moon River Pizza in every section of town. Someone talk to Dan.
all i could think as i read this news was...are you serious? that place has failed quite quickly now. and these guys want to start something new there - IN THIS ECONOMY? yes, management has a lot (whole lot) to do with the success of a place, but the downtown retail market was bad BEFORE the recession. i think if it was my $$ being invested, i'd wait a year or so.
They should have outside sitting and bigger lighted signs. BIG BRIGHT NEON SIGNS
Right now, its probably easier to make it on Bay Street, than on Southside, Atlantic, Beach or Blanding. At this location, with the right service and hours, they should have great lunch crowds and high numbers on weekend nights from the nearby bar/club crowd. The Jax market is tough right now, but if they have a great product and appeal to the right target market, they may be able to carve out a niche.
They definately need to invest in large illuminated signage and outdoor seating. Anything a business can do to increase its visibility is a must. Especially, if they want to pull in some of the people coming off the Main Street Bridge. With Nicky G's, those not familiar with the area could drive right by and not even notice. The unpredictable hours didn't help things either.
North Star Substation
119 E. Bay St. (next to Ivy Ultra Bar)
Check out Downtown's newest pizza place, opening this weekend!
Hmmm, interesting.
I hope that strip becomes what we all envision it can be.
I hope they stay open late Friday and Saturday Nights, past 2 am when the bars are closing. They could easily get customers from The Ivy, Marks, Dive Bar and TSI.
Quote from: Driven1 on October 28, 2008, 10:48:03 AM
all i could think as i read this news was...are you serious? that place has failed quite quickly now. and these guys want to start something new there - IN THIS ECONOMY? yes, management has a lot (whole lot) to do with the success of a place, but the downtown retail market was bad BEFORE the recession. i think if it was my $$ being invested, i'd wait a year or so.
Even in the economical situation we are in I'm confident a restaurant could go in the old Nicky G's spot and not only survive, but do well. They need to serve the lunch crowd, be willing to stay open late especially on the weekends, be consistent with hours of operation and good service, ofcourse serve good food, provide a somewhat unique atmosphere, and just use good business judgement. It may not be easy, but with hard work it could happen.
I agree. Good food, cleanliness, long hours and consistency can all them to be successful there IMO.
Smells like progress for the Riverfront District.....when do they actually open? Who all is going?
From the Jaxdailyrecord.com:
Pizza and subs are back on
Northstar Substation owner Kris Kiger has a handle on pizza as well as sandwiches.
by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
It has been a while since it was available, but the aroma of garlic, oregano and olive oil can again be detected on East Bay Street between Ocean and Newnan Streets. The former Nicky G’s location has been reopened as Northstar Substation by Michigan native Kris Kiger.
“I just wanted to bring a product Downtown that people will enjoy and I also want to be part of the East Bay Street entertainment area,†said Kiger.
Kiger, who you might recognize if you’ve been to Bourbon Street Station on the Southside, has been working toward making sure he’s ready for Georgia-Florida weekend.
“It took a month to go from finding the location to being ready to open the door and fire up the brick pizza oven,†said Kiger. “I know this weekend will be interesting and it will show us what kind of business we could do every day after people discover us.â€
Kiger also has a plan for after the football fans are gone, based on his walking around the neighborhood and asking people what they liked â€" and didn’t like â€" about Nicky G’s.
“Downtown restaurant business depends on lunch,†said Kiger. “I know people are looking for quality food that can be served quickly. Northstar’s not about fast food, we’re about good food fast. We know most people who work Downtown have an hour for lunch, so we can serve pizza or a sandwich in less than 10 minutes.â€
There’s a marketing plan for weekend business that will begin with Saturday afternoon karaoke for kids.
“And we’re going to let the kids make their own pizzas,†said Kiger.
Northstar will also be co-promoting with the Ivy Ultra Bar next door, since the club doesn’t sell food and Kiger doesn’t sell liquor.
Northstar is open Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. and closes at 1 a.m. except Friday and Saturday when last call for pizza and hoagies won’t happen until 3 a.m.
“We’ll also be open on Sundays two hours before kickoff on Jaguars’ game days,†said Kiger.
Kiger also said since he grew up in Michigan and has worked in pizza restaurants, “off and on†his entire life, he learned how to make a pie that’s not quite Chicago-style and not quite New York-style because Michigan is halfway between the two pizza-prominant locations.
mmarbut@baileypub.com
356-2466
I drove by the Ivy and former-Nicky G's last night at the Nicky G's location was open with the sign still up. Whats the deal?
Well they're already ahead of the former owners. I remember last year I was there on FL-GA weekend and the crew working that night apparently didn't even know the event was happening! I don't know how many people they turned away because they were so disorganized. The FL-GA fans kept walking away shaking their heads, muttering about our little burg being such a hick town. :-[
Sounds awesome!! You guys support that! The Cross-promoting is a really good idea. I don't know if they are ready for GA-FL but its a good way to break yourself in.
Is TSI back open yet?
Sounds like progress...someone should check them out Monday and give a review. Im interested in the service and food.
TSI has been open for a few weeks.
So this place will be open for Florida Georgia? If so, I'll swing by for a slice.
Anybody go this weekend?
I wanted to go last night around 7:30. Drove down there. They were closed. Does anyone know the hours?
QuoteNorthstar is open Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. and closes at 1 a.m. except Friday and Saturday when last call for pizza and hoagies won’t happen until 3 a.m.
“We’ll also be open on Sundays two hours before kickoff on Jaguars’ game days,†said Kiger.
Has anyone gone yet? I'd love to hear a review sinch I'm out of town and can't try it yet! :-\
I went the other night...the decor is the same....the prices seemed a bit too high....and the pizza was just ok.
That is disappointing!
I went to Northstar Substation on Friday evening. First of all this is an upgrade from my experience at Nicky G's which was the worst restaurant experience I have had in years.
The staff was pleasant and helpful. We ordered some pizza and wings. I agree with tufsu that the prices are too high. The wings were good and reasonably priced but a large pizza with two toppings is $20. The toppings are either canned or processed. They actually stated on the menu that the mushrooms are canned. The lighting was dimmer than Nicky G's which I prefer but the exposed tube lighting reminds me more of a discount store than a hip downtown dining establishment.
Apparently the Northstar Substation name comes from the owners DJ background. They were setting up a turntable with some speakers when we left around 9. This place has potential. They need to work some more on the atmosphere and lower the prices. I talked to the owner personally and he said that he would be open until 3 a.m. on the weekends. Hopefully they will be able to draw a decent crowd from the Bay Street bars.
Quote from: alta on November 10, 2008, 08:38:21 AM
I went to Northstar Substation on Friday evening. First of all this is an upgrade from my experience at Nicky G's which was the worst restaurant experience I have had in years.
The staff was pleasant and helpful. We ordered some pizza and wings. I agree with tufsu that the prices are too high. The wings were good and reasonably priced but a large pizza with two toppings is $20. The toppings are either canned or processed. They actually stated on the menu that the mushrooms are canned. The lighting was dimmer than Nicky G's which I prefer but the exposed tube lighting reminds me more of a discount store than a hip downtown dining establishment.
Apparently the Northstar Substation name comes from the owners DJ background. They were setting up a turntable with some speakers when we left around 9. This place has potential. They need to work some more on the atmosphere and lower the prices. I talked to the owner personally and he said that he would be open until 3 a.m. on the weekends. Hopefully they will be able to draw a decent crowd from the Bay Street bars.
Wow processed or canned toppings, sounds delicious.
Hence the need for lower prices or fresh toppings.
I wish this guy the best but I'd feel much better with an Al's or Renna's there.
I'm partial to Moon River. I want them to open a place in Springfield at Third and Main.
Without fresh ingredients, it is difficult for me to go there over making the drive to Moon River.
We'll certainly give it shot sometime this week because I'm happy to see something in downtown. It could not be any worse than out 3 hour wait and bad pizza experience at Nicky G's, but they'll have to do better than canned mushrooms to keep my interest most nights.
I really don't understand the love of Al's and Renna's. Al's is OK, but I've never had a good experience at Renna's. The two times I've eaten there, it seemed like everything from the paste to the pizza toppings was canned and their antipasto salad was browning and terrible.
As for Moon River in SPR...I heard that a local developer approached them about it, but the owners said their hands were full with their existing locations and they were not looking to expand right now.
I went by Saturday night after leaving Mark's. I agree, it wasn't the BEST pizza in the world, but it was decent. Around 2:45am there were maybe around 15 to 20 customers there. I think they'll do better over time especially after getting the word out. To tell the truth, I would have never known someone else moved into the spot if not reading about it on here.
At 2:45 am, any pizza is good pizza. ;)
I'm just happy to see them open that late on weekends.
Quote from: alta on November 10, 2008, 09:36:43 AM
I'm partial to Moon River. I want them to open a place in Springfield at Third and Main.
Now that would be just the trigger to get me to buy in Springfield. :)
Quote from: alta on November 10, 2008, 08:38:21 AM
Apparently the Northstar Substation name comes from the owners DJ background. They were setting up a turntable with some speakers when we left around 9. This place has potential. They need to work some more on the atmosphere and lower the prices. I talked to the owner personally and he said that he would be open until 3 a.m. on the weekends. Hopefully they will be able to draw a decent crowd from the Bay Street bars.
Turntables? Sounds like another club on Bay Street, except this one serves pizza lol. Either way cool!
Quote from: comncense on November 10, 2008, 12:30:59 PM
I went by Saturday night after leaving Mark's. I agree, it wasn't the BEST pizza in the world, but it was decent. Around 2:45am there were maybe around 15 to 20 customers there. I think they'll do better over time especially after getting the word out. To tell the truth, I would have never known someone else moved into the spot if not reading about it on here.
Well, Taco Bell and Krystals are both good at 2:45am. (and only at 2:45am)
Southbanker. If you wait until we have an Urban Market, Middle Eastern restaurant and Moon River opening soon the prices are going to be a lot higher. Moon River has quite a following in Springfield. I make it a point to talk to the manager when I go there now to let them know I am supporting their business. I do the same when I go to European Street. Both businesses state that they don't want to expand in the current businesses environment. Springfield is a pretty affluent square mile area that is still surrounded by low income areas. Local businesses like Moon River and European Street that have both shown in the past to take chances are key to spurring development in Springfield.
Agreed. It is just a matter of time before Springfield sees businesses such as this in the neighborhood and the accompanying appreciation of housing prices. Then, people will complain about how they cannot afford to buy there anymore. :D
Quote from: tufsu1 on November 06, 2008, 03:47:33 PM
I went the other night...the decor is the same....the prices seemed a bit too high....and the pizza was just ok.
thats SUX!!
I plan to go there again in the next month to try their sandwiches. They should have a lunch and dinner menu like every other restaurant. IMO they should have a late night menu with the higher prices. Let's face it. Supply and Demand. There is not anywhere else to eat at 2:30 a.m. you can eat in downtown. Inebriated patrons from the local bars are probably not going to be that price sensitive either.
Haven't read enough opinions on this place to actually know what is up. Hopefully it stays up!
The prices during the lunch and dinner hours need to be at least $3-4 lower on pizza and $1-2 on subs to be sustainable. The staff is pleasant and helpful. They need to lower the prices to gain a repeat business. Burrito Gallery is right around the corner. I can get a $5.75 burrito there that will keep me full all afternoon or evening. They aren't open until 3 a.m. though. Late night menu. :)
Thank's for all the reviews and comments. We are working on finding better suppliers for our fresh produce, but like everyone on a tight budget, we have had to cut some corners during our opening period. Our hours of operation will be M-Thurs. 11am until 12am, Friday 11am-4am, Sat. noon-3am. We will be closed on Sundays, except for Jaguars games and other special events downtown.
We invite everyone to come down and try us out. We're always open to your opinions and welcome any and all advice.
Still have a few kinks to work out, but we're getting there.
Thanks. 8)
Northstar,
Do you have a website? If not, could you post a menu here?
Thanks
We don't have a website, yet. We do have a myspace (myspace.com/northstarsubstation) and we're working on a new menu that will be posted on it as soon as it's finished. Sorry for taking so long to reply.