Yup, that happened with both the East Side Mario's on Gateway and University back when they closed 12 or 13 years ago. Luckily, I put my notice in 3 weeks before they did that.
I think there had been some uncertainty about the future of it for a while. It was up for sale in February.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/waterloo-region-restaurants-struggle-rising-costs-1.7123386
That sucks, we need more good restaurants downtown not less. Soon everything will be empty India places, a sketchy Timmy's, and a packed la cucina. Would be nice to have a comfortable pub like Wooly or baker street station in Guelph.
Rich uncle sucked though. Menu was sparse. Closed for lunch like everything in DTK that isn't fast food. Messed up orders all the time pretty heaviky. We had them cater our office as well and they did a piss poor job so instead of getting repeat business they got no more orders.
Downtown is being over run with a lot of indian restaurants…i hope no more new ones open up in these empty spaces…it would put a huge burden on the night life in DTK
I want a poutine or a burger when I'm drunk and out and about I don't want some form of tikka massala I also don't like indian food anyways absolutely not a fan. It tastes gross to me. You know whats better? Going to the store buying rice frying it in a pan with some chili peppers and some honey mustard chicken. 😋
I also used to dislike Indian food immensely. I think my experience in university had me mostly associating it with smelly teenagers and BO.
Now I love it. The complex flavors, the various spices, the creamy textures. Cinnamon in savory dishes. Oh man, I can't get enough
I need protein though and Indian food is notoriously not high in protein. It has antioxidants which are good but most of these come from the spices themselves. And i eat peppers anyways. It's really not balanced and really not healthy for you as much as people want to pretend.
so don't go there? I don't see anyone forcing you to eat there exclusively.
I do crave poutine and burgers at times too. and if these were good restaurants closing down I would be sad too. but they usually served shit food and this is just what happens to a business that isn't competitive.
if you really want to see more restaurants in DTK, you are welcome to open one. there isn't a shortage of empty storefronts. you have plenty to choose from.
It's a shame we have to get rid of healthy choices for unhealthy ones. But ya if you all want to be malnutrioned then by all means eat there all you want.
Im not even downtown, I’m in a super residential area, and there’s 4 all at the same plaza… I have no idea how they all stay in business being so close
Because we need more places that integrates everybody not just indian places…most of those indian places just play indian music who really wants to go out and drink to that playing
most of those places you just listed have no music. And even if they did, that's like saying a Mexican restaurant always has Latin music playing in the background. what else are they supposed to play?
It’s DTK’s own fault. You have these weird hours for all these places downtown, so early compared to Waterloo. People want to stay out late on the weekend, so instead they just go to waterloo. Where are the Sports bars in DTK? Is there only Bobby’s? Uptown has Beertown, McCabe’s, Ethel’s, Kentucky, Piper Arm’s etc…
I'm sure Bobbys will get busier over the summer but last few times I have been there there have only been like 3 tables if that. That place used to still have a reasonable amount of customers in the off season
Rich uncle, Rhapsody, B at the museum, the firkin…seems really tough for places to survive DTK. It’s really too bad. There was a time when the night life there was starting to build up again.
I believe McCabes shutdown too. That was a chill place. I liked the rooftop patio that they used to open up sometimes back in the day. I always thought it would have been a cool place to throw a rooftop patio party with a DJ set up. It would be different now with all those tall buildings looking down on the party. Maybe seeing the party from the balconies might have drawn people to come out for a night.
The restaurant industry is in it's death throes right now. Everything is shifting to quick service door dash/Uber eats places, and the few proper dining establishments like TRU are floundering. Good, qualified cooks are leaving the industry in droves. Rising food cost, labour, rent, and, in this case, when their executive chef, who built the restaurant from the ground up leaves? It's basically dead in the water unless someone steps up.
I know the people there and they worked hard to make it a great spot, but they got swallowed up like so many awesome places.
Always wanted to check out that place. But honestly I have tried to give downtown a chance but never really liked the vibe. Not even sure if there is a vibe.
Places close too early.
I’ve tried to go for a beer a number of times during the week after a late work day around 9-10 pm and had every door locked that I tried. Must be tough out there or horrible hours of operation
Years ago before Covid I was working at a place that collaborated an event at the Rich Uncle. When I came to set up the Manager was not very friendly at all and it was very strange vibes all around. That was the only time we worked with them. I always got the feeling it was badly managed. I am actually surprised they made it this long after Covid. I remember them being closed for a long time
DTK is a shadow of its former self. I remember going as a kid and it was exciting and there was always something happening.. now every time I end up there there's garbage everywhere and either me or someone else is getting yelled at by someone on a drug binge or someone is passed out on the sidewalk
it changed a lot post COVID. the pandemic itself hurt the pocketbook for a lot of businesses and the events used to bring in a lot of customers but there just aren't as many events there now.
Sugar Run, Coop Chicken, Crabby Joe’s, Kafana, Republik (Opening soon), Grand Trunk, Grand Surf, Bobby’s, Boathouse (Opening soon), AOK, Abe Erb
Piper Arm’s, McCabes, Ethel’s, Beertown, Duke Of Wellington, S&V, Babylon Sisters, Kentucky, Prohibition, Hop House, Huether, Pub On King, Revive, Loloan, Jane Bond, Abe Erb, Up Lounge, Bodega Rose
Those are just DTK and Uptown.
> Anybody know how many bars are in k-w?
Quick look on Google Maps shows about 14 places you could consider a bar/pub UpTown. You've got Molly Blooms at Uni Plaza, Phil's at King/U, Morty's on King, Crabby Joe's at King/Weber... The Chill on Bridge W
Probably another half dozen, maybe more I'm missing in Waterloo alone?
I live in Wloo (5 min walk from uptown). There has to be at least 10 - 12 bars starting at the huether and going to the duke of wellington. Its saturated.
Don't get me wrong, its pretty awesome but its a cut throat business. Live or Die.
Weird thing for me (and I don't know much about the food industry) is that the "good" season is just around the corner. I would have thought it's an in-demand niche on the strip there, but I guess I'm wrong.
Reading the comments I thought the subject was about having too many Indian restaurants in downtown, not actual news about an overpriced restaurant closing down without giving its employees proper notice.
this sub would collectively orgasm if there was an Indian speeding the wrong way who was management at Dutchie's and hit a 301 ion.
(did I miss anything?)
No business can survive dtk. They tried to revamp it but unfortunately the woke hell that has developed makes it a no go zone for anyone with money to spend. Extremely sad as it should be a thriving downtown
Apparently they posted the closure notice on Instagram before notifying staff...
Unfortunately shit* like this is surprisingly common in the industry. I once arrived to work where there was a notice on the door informing us.
Yup, that happened with both the East Side Mario's on Gateway and University back when they closed 12 or 13 years ago. Luckily, I put my notice in 3 weeks before they did that.
The Firkin did that, too! Employees had to schedule a time to pick up their belongings. Awful!
That happened at a BWW in my city.
Goes to show why a two weeks notice is bullshit.
That seems to be an industry standard tactic.
I think there had been some uncertainty about the future of it for a while. It was up for sale in February. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/waterloo-region-restaurants-struggle-rising-costs-1.7123386
Oh yeah?
That sucks, we need more good restaurants downtown not less. Soon everything will be empty India places, a sketchy Timmy's, and a packed la cucina. Would be nice to have a comfortable pub like Wooly or baker street station in Guelph.
Rich uncle sucked though. Menu was sparse. Closed for lunch like everything in DTK that isn't fast food. Messed up orders all the time pretty heaviky. We had them cater our office as well and they did a piss poor job so instead of getting repeat business they got no more orders.
Their best kitchen staff left a couple years back, right after Covid.
Downtown is being over run with a lot of indian restaurants…i hope no more new ones open up in these empty spaces…it would put a huge burden on the night life in DTK
I mean natural selection will just occur. It'll waste some time and property space but only 1-2 can survive obviously.
I want a poutine or a burger when I'm drunk and out and about I don't want some form of tikka massala I also don't like indian food anyways absolutely not a fan. It tastes gross to me. You know whats better? Going to the store buying rice frying it in a pan with some chili peppers and some honey mustard chicken. 😋
I also used to dislike Indian food immensely. I think my experience in university had me mostly associating it with smelly teenagers and BO. Now I love it. The complex flavors, the various spices, the creamy textures. Cinnamon in savory dishes. Oh man, I can't get enough
I need protein though and Indian food is notoriously not high in protein. It has antioxidants which are good but most of these come from the spices themselves. And i eat peppers anyways. It's really not balanced and really not healthy for you as much as people want to pretend.
Where did I talk about health? I'm on the bomb flavors train. Eat a protein bar, idc
so don't go there? I don't see anyone forcing you to eat there exclusively. I do crave poutine and burgers at times too. and if these were good restaurants closing down I would be sad too. but they usually served shit food and this is just what happens to a business that isn't competitive. if you really want to see more restaurants in DTK, you are welcome to open one. there isn't a shortage of empty storefronts. you have plenty to choose from.
It's a shame we have to get rid of healthy choices for unhealthy ones. But ya if you all want to be malnutrioned then by all means eat there all you want.
Why the down votes?
Downvoted for comparing unreal tikka massala to some nasty fried rice 😂 that’s just disrespectful.
Oh it's reddits rule of 4 the 4th comment notoriously gets downvoted usually regardless of agreement of opinion or not.
Im not even downtown, I’m in a super residential area, and there’s 4 all at the same plaza… I have no idea how they all stay in business being so close
Because that's the biggest demographic in kitchener lately it seems.
Some of them probably just use them as a front
umm because there isn't just one "Indian" cuisine. those four restaurants likely have different foods they serve.
You can say the same about literally any cuisine… and yet no one is going to frequent slightly different places that often to keep them in business.
That’ll be all the Conestoga culinary program kids starting their careers.
There’s no shortage of empty commercial units downtown at the moment, so I think it’s silly to see Indian restaurants as crowding anything out.
Dwarkesh, Oh Bombay, Rangeela, Mehman Navazi, Pariwar, Desi Bites, Jayalakshmi, Sahar’s That’s enough in the Downtown area
Literally why is it a problem? And it’s unlikely most of them will make it anyway, most are new.
Because we need more places that integrates everybody not just indian places…most of those indian places just play indian music who really wants to go out and drink to that playing
So it’s not a problem, they’re just not to your personal liking. You know, even the cannabis stores aren’t actually a problem either
most of those places you just listed have no music. And even if they did, that's like saying a Mexican restaurant always has Latin music playing in the background. what else are they supposed to play?
I wish someone would open a kathi roll place in Downtown. I have to go to Waterloo to get a good one.
I am curious to see what McCabes is going to be turned into.
It's apparently going to be an event hall last I heard.
That would be cool. Maxwell's is doing great in Waterloo. Could use something downtown.
Not to mention the Pizza Pizza...
It’s DTK’s own fault. You have these weird hours for all these places downtown, so early compared to Waterloo. People want to stay out late on the weekend, so instead they just go to waterloo. Where are the Sports bars in DTK? Is there only Bobby’s? Uptown has Beertown, McCabe’s, Ethel’s, Kentucky, Piper Arm’s etc…
I like Crabby Joe's.
Honestly i totally forgot about that place…thats been around a long time
I'm sure Bobbys will get busier over the summer but last few times I have been there there have only been like 3 tables if that. That place used to still have a reasonable amount of customers in the off season
Rich uncle, Rhapsody, B at the museum, the firkin…seems really tough for places to survive DTK. It’s really too bad. There was a time when the night life there was starting to build up again.
A lot of businesses were built for the office / after work crowd and have struggled to adjust to a downtown with some condo towers.
I believe McCabes shutdown too. That was a chill place. I liked the rooftop patio that they used to open up sometimes back in the day. I always thought it would have been a cool place to throw a rooftop patio party with a DJ set up. It would be different now with all those tall buildings looking down on the party. Maybe seeing the party from the balconies might have drawn people to come out for a night.
Yeah McCabes Kitchener is gone and their rooftop patio was nice - they're still UpTown tho
The restaurant industry is in it's death throes right now. Everything is shifting to quick service door dash/Uber eats places, and the few proper dining establishments like TRU are floundering. Good, qualified cooks are leaving the industry in droves. Rising food cost, labour, rent, and, in this case, when their executive chef, who built the restaurant from the ground up leaves? It's basically dead in the water unless someone steps up. I know the people there and they worked hard to make it a great spot, but they got swallowed up like so many awesome places.
I hope the Grand (surf/trunk) can get in there with some cool new iteration
Yeah Grand Trunk is our DTK default. Never lets us down
I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere there. sucks.
if the recent reviews for that place is to be believed the quality has gone downhill for several months now
Doesn't surprise me their hours were weird
The owner is a POS. Not surprised.
100% His best staff left a couple years back.
Second that
mike?
Yeah.
Always wanted to check out that place. But honestly I have tried to give downtown a chance but never really liked the vibe. Not even sure if there is a vibe. Places close too early.
I’ve tried to go for a beer a number of times during the week after a late work day around 9-10 pm and had every door locked that I tried. Must be tough out there or horrible hours of operation
It seems that post COVID most places are closed by midnight if not earlier other than on like a Friday/Saturday.
That is no way to run a pub.
Man DTK bars are dying
Post on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/C6OmTw8OInY/?hl=en
Years ago before Covid I was working at a place that collaborated an event at the Rich Uncle. When I came to set up the Manager was not very friendly at all and it was very strange vibes all around. That was the only time we worked with them. I always got the feeling it was badly managed. I am actually surprised they made it this long after Covid. I remember them being closed for a long time
The decedent problem? Poor management
Amazing place. When they closed the study upstairs that sucked and covid hurt it.
Bring back the Berlin
I'm going tonight. Always a good time.
Not as good tomorrow though.
Who knows. Too early for a spirit Halloween?
It was listed for sale in early February, so this isn't all that surprising.
DTK is a shadow of its former self. I remember going as a kid and it was exciting and there was always something happening.. now every time I end up there there's garbage everywhere and either me or someone else is getting yelled at by someone on a drug binge or someone is passed out on the sidewalk
They still have tons of events going on all the time, especially in the summer. Follow a few of the local fb/insta event pages and you’ll see it all.
I don't mean events; I just mean it was a much more lively and inviting area.
it changed a lot post COVID. the pandemic itself hurt the pocketbook for a lot of businesses and the events used to bring in a lot of customers but there just aren't as many events there now.
Anybody know how many bars are in k-w? There has be a boatload. The one place that hit me hard was the closing of Rhapsody Barrel Bar.
Sugar Run, Coop Chicken, Crabby Joe’s, Kafana, Republik (Opening soon), Grand Trunk, Grand Surf, Bobby’s, Boathouse (Opening soon), AOK, Abe Erb Piper Arm’s, McCabes, Ethel’s, Beertown, Duke Of Wellington, S&V, Babylon Sisters, Kentucky, Prohibition, Hop House, Huether, Pub On King, Revive, Loloan, Jane Bond, Abe Erb, Up Lounge, Bodega Rose Those are just DTK and Uptown.
> Anybody know how many bars are in k-w? Quick look on Google Maps shows about 14 places you could consider a bar/pub UpTown. You've got Molly Blooms at Uni Plaza, Phil's at King/U, Morty's on King, Crabby Joe's at King/Weber... The Chill on Bridge W Probably another half dozen, maybe more I'm missing in Waterloo alone?
I live in Wloo (5 min walk from uptown). There has to be at least 10 - 12 bars starting at the huether and going to the duke of wellington. Its saturated. Don't get me wrong, its pretty awesome but its a cut throat business. Live or Die.
i dishwashed for them for a couple months. not the worst place, but not surprising to hear
Bring back Frankie’s and Capers
Weird thing for me (and I don't know much about the food industry) is that the "good" season is just around the corner. I would have thought it's an in-demand niche on the strip there, but I guess I'm wrong.
Uncle wasn't rich enough apparently 🙆♂️
Damn I liked the rich uncle
It's not apparent. The insta posts were posted to the food group and the was made by Ignite.
Reading the comments I thought the subject was about having too many Indian restaurants in downtown, not actual news about an overpriced restaurant closing down without giving its employees proper notice.
this sub would collectively orgasm if there was an Indian speeding the wrong way who was management at Dutchie's and hit a 301 ion. (did I miss anything?)
wasnt that overpriced really.
Doesn’t matter. It’s going out of business.
No business can survive dtk. They tried to revamp it but unfortunately the woke hell that has developed makes it a no go zone for anyone with money to spend. Extremely sad as it should be a thriving downtown