The Daily News covered the closing of Nectar Wine Bar yesterday and discusses how its demise might signal economic trouble for the booming Lower FDB corridor. Even though this business and Society Coffee has closed in the past month, the article fails to cover the new restaurants that will be coming along such as the sushi restaurant and another cafe. It's New York and businesses come and go. Does this mean trouble for Harlem retail overall? More in the Daily News:
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I'm sorry, but no.
ReplyDelete#1 - The failure rate for restaurants has always been very high.
#2 - Far more openings than closings in the area.
#3 - You need to offer a good product. This only more true not that there are more options in the area. 5 years ago there were only a coule of brunch options; now I can think of 15. Harlem Tavern, Bier, Zoma always seem crowded. Lido and 67 Orange seem to do well despite higher price points because the quality and decor is there. Red Rooster is doing well. I personally didn't think Nectar came together right. The decor was off - minimalist can be done well or not well and this was the latter in my opinion - and the wine and food wasn't that good. I'll support my local businesses, yes, but I'd rather support the ones that execute well.
I agree, good business ideas and sound business models are two very different things. Moreover, this place was never as enticing to me as it could have been. The lighting and decor seemed cold and uninviting and the layout forced a jam up at the entrance which discouraged drop-ins. It should have mimicked the cozy, lodginess of Harlem Vintage, even including a fireplace. If not for the al fresco seating, it wouldn't gone sooner. When you go for upscale it's all about a classic experience. Trendiness must by definition must come to an end.
ReplyDeleteMy view is that Harlem, and especially FDB, may have arrived at the point where it's OK for some businesses to fail. The demand is here, as Cedric/5 Diamond/Lido/HT/maybe Chocolat, all would indicate; but not every place has the offering (whether that be food, atmosphere or service) to succeed. I wish people and especially the press wouldn't use restaurant closures as a referendum on whether a neighborhood has hit a rough patch. The answer may be simpler, and more honest, in that the restaurant that closed didn't offer enough of what the broader community wanted and people voted over time with their wallets. I used to live in the East Village and it was a constant churn of new places - some of them made it, others failed..and no-one ever asked if the E. Village was having economic problems!
ReplyDeleteI 100% agree with you!! I lived in Chelsea for 13 years before moving to Central Harlem and have seen many businesses come and go, that's a common factor for an active community with high demands.
DeleteMaybe the thought of a wine bar four years ago in Harlem was novel. Now it's old news and not very exciting. How is the butcher Shambles doing? The product there is not cheap, but it's unique. People with vision along with economic smarts can thrive in Harlem. No one likes to see a business fail, but maybe something better will replace Nectar. Not only do you want to create something that the community will want, but also might attract those outside the community. At least that would be my goal.
ReplyDeleteMakes a good headline, but I feel this article is off the mark. The local businesses that have gone above and beyond to succeed are, as far I know, succeeding. Lido with Italian cuisine that has built up a tremendous reputation, Harlem Tavern that has filled a huge gap in the market for a gastro pub type place along FDB (with vastly improved food over the months) and of course Red Rooster with Marcus Samuelsson's insane work ethic reaping dividends. Society Coffee closing was a strange one. That place looked constantly busy and really seemed to fit in well with the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteHHH, exactly. I may have sounded harsh but restaurants are inherently a tough business - high fixed costs, perishible inventory, fickle and changing tastes. So generally you have to hit it at least 80% right to succeed ...
ReplyDeletepignoli Shambles is not expensive at all (of course this is relative) but if you like your meat fresh with no antibiotic,steroids etc then they are well below the cost of anywhere I have been.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the food at Harlem Tavern has improved.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know where the cafe will be that is referenced in this original post?
ReplyDeleteBBC, I meant expensive in terms of what the neighborhood is used to.
ReplyDeleteGuest - I believe the owners of Bier are opening up a cafe in the old Society Cafe space.
ReplyDeleteAh pignoli, on that I agree with you it is more costly than Associateds of the world. I have spoken with the guys that own Shambles and suggested that they do some "meat expos" to educate the general neighbourhood on meat cuts, quality etc.
ReplyDeleteI hope they do as I have yet to be disappointed by what I have bought there, they even have rabbit one of my favourite meats.
Man, Shambles has been an absolute gem. I don't think it is priced too unreasonably. Every time I go in there I have a question about 'what the heck is that you are cutting up over there?!' HarlemBBC, a meat expo is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteIf these places had opened in Hamilton Heights, they would still be there. We have a real need for restaurants/bars up here!
ReplyDeleteI like Shambles and have no problem with the pricing because it is a unique product they offer especially for the area. Now an overpriced wine bar with mediocre food is another story. That we don't need.
ReplyDeleteWe had delightful cocktails at Lennox Social yesterday! Glad they have joined the neighborhood! But I do miss Nector! I hope something friendly opens in that location with food service, even at lunchtime, which is one major complaint about Bad Horse, even though they do have superior food! Food is the key to all our hearts! OK, sorry to speak for everyone!
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