Alpha Dog to close

[Kaiser Soze]

Does the zoning allow for seating out back?

It did previously.  The owner of Alphadog bought the restaurant incorporating the patio which has been used by all previous businesses.

They had the public hearings, spent the money, invested in the business, and at the last moment was blindsided by the sudden exclusion of the back of the property, exactly the same way that Kay was describing in how they limited the property use for the Rogue at the behest of Jennifer Maycheck.

I was not aware of this.  So, the back patio was taken out of service based on RAP pressure?  Am I reading that wrong?

[Lucasjj]

I don't think it was RAP, but a person that lived behind the establishment. From what I understand, they thought that they had the ability to use the back area when they opened. It turns out they needed an exception to serve out there, and had been battling to get one. In the mean time, they were not allowed to do any serving out there. I have not heard of RAP's involvement in any of it.

[Jimmy]

I'm far from the situation and have a limited understanding.  But since that doesn't stop anyone else, I'll tell you what I know.

It wasn't an issue with the back patio, per se.  The issue came from the plans to have live music on the back patio Thursday through Sunday until 2AM each night.  The back patio of Alpha Dog hasn't been used for this purpose before.  So, the homeowners in the vicinity had a problem with that business model, which was not approved beforehand.

I don't think RAP has anything to do with it.  There's a lot of speculation.  Will be nice to get some facts.

[Lucasjj]

From the sign on the back patio door, they were not allowed to do service at any time back there. It was closed off during the day, just for dining.

[PeeJayEss]

If its true, I'll be sad to see it go. I really like the place (and I don't eat hot dogs!). Nice little bar to grab a drink after work, good reasonably-priced food. It always seemed to be pretty busy. In fact, it probably contributed to business at the nearby antique stores, and it livened up a dead end of Park/King.

Shame they couldn't open the back up, as that is a great space. I don't understand how they could be limited in using that space, at least during the day...I could see after 10pm maybe being a noise issue, but before that, what is the impetus for the restriction? If it is RAP, that reflects poorly on them.

The interior could still use more of a remodel. Its very fragmented for a restaurant space (not that it ever stopped me from going, but a less awkward setup certainly couldn't hurt).

Irrelevant tangent: that Norman's food store needs to be replaced. Its horrendous. They have nothing in stock and what they do have in stock is usually old (went there for OJ and it was 3 months expired - and there were bottles older than that). Are they dealing outta the place or what? I can't fathom how they stay in business.

[cline]

^Yeah, the dogs (size and variety) were pretty filling for the price, imo.  It was a great change of pace from the typical menus in the area.

Agreed.  Around $6 for a hot dog and fries was a pretty fair price. 

[respman]

My name is Jim Doughfman and I am the owner of Alphadog Grill. I was waiting to comment until I had a chance to talk to the rest of my employees this morning but you guys were too fast for me. Yes, we are closing. It was really a perfect storm of a few issues the patio being one, but also rising costs and the loss of my civilian job that was covering my initial losses. As far as the patio goes, the previous restaurants had all used it in the past without issue. The broker sold me on the space based on the beauty of the back patio. I spent about $25,000 building a tiki bar and beautifying the area including the construction of a small stage that we had planned to use for acoustic music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons sorta like you get on St George st in St Augustine. The Grinch who lives behind me watched me build for 2 months all along knowing that the RAP inspired overlay had created a zoning restriction to any business against using the outside rear area of their business to conduct business if the business shared a boundary with a residential area. We do and he knew that and continued to watch until our grand opening when he called the city inspector and had us shut down. It wasn't about music, it was about conducting any business including serving food. Technically, we weren't even allowed to let people smoke back there. That is the  zoning regulation according to the inspector who to his credit felt really bad about shutting us down before we had even had a customer. I would like to say it had been a great ride but the last 2 months have been a financial disaster for me. However, I did enjoy meeting and serving the great people of Riverside, the real reason I chose to open here. Thanks to everyone for the kind words. I know some of you own or run restaurants. I would ask one favor. Please consider my employees for any positions you might have open. They are the best and the brightest and didn't deserve this. Thanks.

[RiversideLoki]

Thank you for providing a nice place for us locals to eat and relax. Good luck recovering on your losses and on your future endeavors.

[fsquid]

that ain't right.

[Tacachale]

Jim, you ran a great restaurant and there are many of us who will be sorry to see you go. Good luck with your future ventures.

[Kickbackssteve]

Jim, I will never forget the support we received from one of your employees who came to one of our land use meetings and sat there for five hours in order to have 3 minutes to speak on our behalf. If she is a representative sample of all of your employees, I would agree they are all great people and highly employable. If you know who I'm speaking about, I'd like to contact her to express my appreciation.  You can let me know via this thread, or kickbacks@comcast.net or phone/text 904-759-1747. Thank you and I'm sorry for your experience on Park St.

[zedsdead]

sad, sad, sad.

[BridgeTroll]

Thank you for providing a nice place for us locals to eat and relax. Good luck recovering on your losses and on your future endeavors.

Well said...

[ben says]

Did the broker know about the back yard restrictions? Seems like there was a misrepresentation somewhere along the line..

[respman]

Jim, I will never forget the support we received from one of your employees who came to one of our land use meetings and sat there for five hours in order to have 3 minutes to speak on our behalf. If she is a representative sample of all of your employees, I would agree they are all great people and highly employable. If you know who I'm speaking about, I'd like to contact her to express my appreciation.  You can let me know via this thread, or kickbacks@comcast.net or phone/text 904-759-1747. Thank you and I'm sorry for your experience on Park St.

Thanks Steve. That was Leah, she is my neice. I will give her the message.