Escoba Bistro is Closing Down

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Nufy

FTFY...


I agree though...Crappy location...I miss the old Studio Pub. Way more character.

Yeah I used to go to the trap all the time. I never go anymore at the new location. Way too far out of the way, and it's so big it seemed empty the couple of times I went there. No atmosphere.

[aaronck]

Originally Posted by NuclearFart

I think it was a Bikini bar or some other place of ill repute.

I've lived a block away since it turned into a bar back in the 90s, and have only been there maybe 15 times in total- Bikini bar was the longest lasting, but was sooo slimy. Every time I've been there I've gotten terrible service, terrible food or something else ( I saw a mouse scurry across the floor, told the waitress and she wasn't surprised) Their wing nights used to be popular, and it was full for major sports events but otherwise it's been cursed since the bikinis left town. Also not helping, I believe the rent there is $30k per month. That place, along with the other cursed buildings in the area (Castle Pizza/Horny Toad/ Black Sheep/D'Vine Diner/ Atukus Pub) By Wisewood is the same thing. No matter who moves in, they completely underwhelm and overcharge driving the locals out. It's easier to go to Limericks, While not great, they at least have cold beer and those short short skirts...

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by aaronck

I've lived a block away since it turned into a bar back in the 90s, and have only been there maybe 15 times in total- Bikini bar was the longest lasting, but was sooo slimy. Every time I've been there I've gotten terrible service, terrible food or something else ( I saw a mouse scurry across the floor, told the waitress and she wasn't surprised) Their wing nights used to be popular, and it was full for major sports events but otherwise it's been cursed since the bikinis left town. Also not helping, I believe the rent there is $30k per month. That place, along with the other cursed buildings in the area (Castle Pizza/Horny Toad/ Black Sheep/D'Vine Diner/ Atukus Pub) By Wisewood is the same thing. No matter who moves in, they completely underwhelm and overcharge driving the locals out. It's easier to go to Limericks, While not great, they at least have cold beer and those short short skirts...

I actually really liked D'Vine Diner for its brief stint. Found their food to be great and really enjoyed the breakfasts. Too bad they only lasted 8 months . Atikus is just standard pub food now.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

I actually really liked D'Vine Diner for its brief stint. Found their food to be great and really enjoyed the breakfasts. Too bad they only lasted 8 months . Atikus is just standard pub food now.

Yeah D'Vine Diner was attempting to punch above it's weight class with that location unfortunately. The food was always really good, but a touch pricey for the location and it was never full the 3 or so times we ate there.

Never had a bad meal there, but it always felt out of place in that location, like the fare they were offering should have been in Mission or the beltline, something with some foot traffic & people watching.

We've had zero desire to try Atikus.

[aaronck]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

Yeah D'Vine Diner was attempting to punch above it's weight class with that location unfortunately. The food was always really good, but a touch pricey for the location and it was never full the 3 or so times we ate there.

Never had a bad meal there, but it always felt out of place in that location, like the fare they were offering should have been in Mission or the beltline, something with some foot traffic & people watching.

We've had zero desire to try Atikus.

I think the owners are the same as D'vine was- First time was one of the first few days open, found the menu expensive and with no kids options and let them know how I felt about my experience (just opening, usually feedback is welcome) even though it was not busy the manager seemed like she didn't care at all. Second time I went for breakfast and let them know the coffee was cold, server said it couldn't be because it was just made and walked away. Friends who have gone to Atikus report the same sort of service

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by aaronck

I think the owners are the same as D'vine was- First time was one of the first few days open, found the menu expensive and with no kids options and let them know how I felt about my experience (just opening, usually feedback is welcome) even though it was not busy the manager seemed like she didn't care at all. Second time I went for breakfast and let them know the coffee was cold, server said it couldn't be because it was just made and walked away. Friends who have gone to Atikus report the same sort of service

Really? That's odd we always really good service there.

Once time there was another couple in there with a kid who just screamed the entire time, to the point of making the other 2-3 tables of customers quite uncomfortable.

After we paid the manager followed us outside and profusely apologized for the screaming child, even though that's not something I'd ever hold a business responsible for.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by SeeGeeWhy

Yikes, that's bleak. Great businesses emerge in all types of conditions. I don't think I'd ever say there is no opportunity. Where is the interview you're referring to?

http://www.newstalk770.com/audio-on-demand-2/

11am yesterday the 9th and go to the 35min mark.

[CaptainCrunch]

Well at least Alberta will see an explosive growth in the industries of Divorce, bankruptsy and repossessions.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Well at least Alberta will see an explosive growth in the industries of Divorce, bankruptsy and repossessions.

Thats actually already happening. As well as general crime as people start to get more desperate.

The Cops are going to have to earn their money here pretty soon.

[CaptainCrunch]

Yeah, it was a bit of an underhanded comment by me. I do know reading that the other thing that's really getting hammered is social services, especially around substance abuse and suicide prevention.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Well at least Alberta will see an explosive growth in the industries of Divorce, bankruptsy and repossessions.

A friend of mine in commercial real estate tells me there is a bit of a run on office space by large investment banks that are setting up offices here just to deal with corporate defaults and bankruptcies. Spooky to think of these gloomy gnomes setting up shop here.

[Northendzone]

sorry if this has already been mentioned today - but there was an article in either the herald or the metro suggesting that the cycling lanes have been beneficial for some resturants

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

sorry if this has already been mentioned today - but there was an article in either the herald or the metro suggesting that the cycling lanes have been beneficial for some restaurants

http://www.metronews.ca/news/calgary...-cyclists.html

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

http://www.metronews.ca/news/calgary...-cyclists.html

Not much other than anecdotal evidence there. It's also important to note that businesses on Stephen Avenue mall didn't lose any street parking, only those west of 3rd Street were impacted.

There's actually a massive sidewalk setback on 8th Avenue, so there's enough room to have bike lanes, two traffic lanes and two parking lanes if you take a couple feet off each sidewalk.

[Bigtime]

Yeah it is more anecdotal, but it's also some business owners on Stephen Ave saying they want more bike parking put in. They're speaking out against the comments made by the director of the downtown BRZ that were negative and just as anecdotal about the impact of the bike lanes.

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Yeah it is more anecdotal, but it's also some business owners on Stephen Ave saying they want more bike parking put in. They're speaking out against the comments made by the director of the downtown BRZ that were negative and just as anecdotal about the impact of the bike lanes.

I'm guessing a director of downtown BRZ would be speaking on behalf of business's based on what she's hearing. Probably not as anecdotal.

[Bigtime]

I wouldn't be so sure in her case, the ask for more bike parking has been happening for the better part of a year and they just don't appear receptive as a BRZ to those needs. In the end they'll only hurt themselves as other BRZ's cater to the cycling community and attract any business via that mode to them. Beltline is ramping up, so is the Vic Park BRZ, Kensington and Inglewood too. As things get tougher it will be a battle to get the business still out there to their areas, if throwing a few more bike racks could help with that why not do it?

Originally Posted by stampsx2

I'm guessing a director of downtown BRZ would be speaking on behalf of business's based on what she's hearing.

Unless the business's speaking to her are bringing actual statistics compiled someway isn't that anecdotal too?

Vero Bistro in Kensington gives you a feedback form after every meal, part of it asks how you got there and lists several choices plus a write in section. Now if folks coming to her door start dumping info based on surveys like that then we can start to take things at more than what was quoted in Metro. Asides from that how would a restaurant owner know the difference from someone that walked to their restaurant versus drove or biked?

All this posted as someone that drives, walks, and bikes to restaurants/pubs and such.

[Northendzone]

Not sure where to post this, but here seems somewhat logical.....yesterday my wife went to char bar for lunch. Today at home we received a phone call from char bar as they wanted to ensure that her lunch was ok and to thank her for her business. I just about keeled over, but I guess in tight time you need to fight for every bit of loyalty and repeat business

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

Not sure where to post this, but here seems somewhat logical.....yesterday my wife went to char bar for lunch. Today at home we received a phone call from char bar as they wanted to ensure that her lunch was ok and to thank her for her business. I just about keeled over, but I guess in tight time you need to fight for every bit of loyalty and repeat business

That would insure I never went back.

[JiriHrdina]

Haven't followed this thread closely so apologies if already stated but noticed Farm closed down due to the economy