Your opinion of the old Sweetgrass location [General]
2012 Dec 8
" ... too far off the beaten track to get impulse traffic ??
Yup , IMHO.
Murray St, near by, has a killer patio in back and a top notch reputation to keep them coming back and attract newbies.
The location could almost be considered a 'destination location'.
en.wikipedia.org
Yup , IMHO.
Murray St, near by, has a killer patio in back and a top notch reputation to keep them coming back and attract newbies.
The location could almost be considered a 'destination location'.
en.wikipedia.org
2012 Dec 8
My problem with Murray Street is the traffic. People will walk down York or Clarence, because they are people first, car second. Nobody wants to walk down Murray because it is connecting Gatineau with the St. Patrick Bridge.
Ultimately, if I ran a restaurant that was going to depend on casual, lunch, walk by? I don't think it would work for me. As mentioned above, seems more "destination" like Navarra or Murray Street Kitchen. However, there is Fatboys, and the French Baker (altho the French Baker is pretty much on Dalhousie)
Ultimately, if I ran a restaurant that was going to depend on casual, lunch, walk by? I don't think it would work for me. As mentioned above, seems more "destination" like Navarra or Murray Street Kitchen. However, there is Fatboys, and the French Baker (altho the French Baker is pretty much on Dalhousie)
2012 Dec 8
My lunch offering will be unique, fast, and of a very high quality. My hope would be that if I am able to offer what I think I will that people will make the trip for lunch. My puzzle is, "How far will a person walk on their lunch break to get what they really want?"
I worry that with so many good placed between me and Rideau that even if I can carve out a niche a a great reputation that I still will not do enough of a lunch in the Sweetgrass spot. People being what they are... they will only walk so far.
I worry that with so many good placed between me and Rideau that even if I can carve out a niche a a great reputation that I still will not do enough of a lunch in the Sweetgrass spot. People being what they are... they will only walk so far.
2012 Dec 9
Flying Branzini - the deal with lunch is that many people only have a certain amount of time to leave work, get to a spot and get back to work. I work at the corner of Kent and Queen and although there are many places that I would love to get to for lunch that are probably far better than the offerings near my office, the reality is that I just don't have that kind of time.
2012 Dec 9
Also, remember that this is Ottawa. For at least four months of the year people are going to walk the minimum distance possible to get lunch because the sidewalks and roads are covered in snow, slush and other beastly oomshka. No-one's going to walk four blocks for your soup and sandwiches, no matter how good they are, if there's an alternative that's closer.
2012 Dec 9
I thought Sweetgrass was a very nice restaurant and I enjoyed it. If they could not make a go of it, I would be very cautious if I were in the restaurant business.
That said, I could never be in the restaurant business and my hat's off to whomever has the guts to take the plunge. Best of luck to you!
That said, I could never be in the restaurant business and my hat's off to whomever has the guts to take the plunge. Best of luck to you!
2012 Dec 9
I don't think there is as much lunch walk-in traffic on Murray St. Not on a daily basis. I think the Hintonburg location you're looking at has more walk in potential.
I was by there this morning and even with it being a Sunday and cold, people are still out and walking around on Wellington.
And I suspect that there were issues other than location that lead to Sweetgrass closing. They seemed to have troubles after Warren Sutherland left. The food certainly was not as good.
I was by there this morning and even with it being a Sunday and cold, people are still out and walking around on Wellington.
And I suspect that there were issues other than location that lead to Sweetgrass closing. They seemed to have troubles after Warren Sutherland left. The food certainly was not as good.
2012 Dec 10
IMHO I think a brisk Monday to Friday lunch business in Ottawa has to be supported by large numbers of government cube farms in the vicinity. Look at Todric's in Vanier, who seems to be making a successful run by feeding sandwiches to government workers in the complex across the street, allowing them to create more interesting fare at other times of the week. Destination lunch is not a daily option for most working people.
2012 Dec 10
FlyingBanzini I agree with the comments made above. I work fairly close to the market (Sparks/Elgin area) but wouldn't head over to the Murray/Dalhousie area for lunch since it's too far. Dinner would be an option though - I tend to go to specific restos for dinner not neighbourhoods although that may not be true for everyone.
Just a thought: when Friday's Roast Beef House was located on Elgin I believe they offered NAC patrons a discount on their meals. I believe the customers were asked to show their theatre tickets to benefit from the discount. Since the National Gallery is so close would you consider offering something similar to the gallery patrons?
Just a thought: when Friday's Roast Beef House was located on Elgin I believe they offered NAC patrons a discount on their meals. I believe the customers were asked to show their theatre tickets to benefit from the discount. Since the National Gallery is so close would you consider offering something similar to the gallery patrons?
2012 Dec 10
Here's some perspective: a previous tenant of that location relocated to get more steady foot traffic (Oh So Good café). Todrics does well because they also cater, so I hope you consider catering as an option as well.
EDIT: And if you want advice on Hintonburg locations, contact me directly and I'll give you some insight.
EDIT of the EDIT: When you look at other locations in the downtown area that make you wonder, "How do they make a go of it with their location?" often times, catering is the answer - check out Culinary Conspiracy.
EDIT: And if you want advice on Hintonburg locations, contact me directly and I'll give you some insight.
EDIT of the EDIT: When you look at other locations in the downtown area that make you wonder, "How do they make a go of it with their location?" often times, catering is the answer - check out Culinary Conspiracy.
2012 Dec 10
I have, thus far, avoided Preston. I am told and my own reserach seems to agree that it can be hopping evenings but does not do a strong lunch.
Yes, there was a divorce between Sweetgrass ownership. And, possibly, some government monney that ran out (latter onley a rumour).
The Carbon Computing location isn't as good as hoped (Hintonburg) because the space that is available is not the corner and it's not right at the street -- it's behind the vestibule.
Catering is very much part of the plan.
All very thoughtful advice, thank you.
It does seem to me that 108 Murray is a "destination" spot and if I decide to go for a destination, there are much more affordable spots available.
Anyone care to comment on 1165 Bank St (South os Landsdowne Bridge, above the Ottawa Antique Market).
Yes, there was a divorce between Sweetgrass ownership. And, possibly, some government monney that ran out (latter onley a rumour).
The Carbon Computing location isn't as good as hoped (Hintonburg) because the space that is available is not the corner and it's not right at the street -- it's behind the vestibule.
Catering is very much part of the plan.
All very thoughtful advice, thank you.
It does seem to me that 108 Murray is a "destination" spot and if I decide to go for a destination, there are much more affordable spots available.
Anyone care to comment on 1165 Bank St (South os Landsdowne Bridge, above the Ottawa Antique Market).
2012 Dec 10
I suspect that spot is more for ladies who lunch, than workers needing lunch. I'm not sure which market you prefer.
I'm surprised that Preston doesn't have a strong lunch market, there's a whole boatload of government offices a block away on Booth. There must be a good 5-8000 workers within one block's walk of Preston St, I'd have thought. Some of the places on Preston aren't great for lunch - they're far more oriented towards an evening meal - but I would have thought that, in my far from expert opinion, that there's a fair degree of "build it and they will come" in that area. I appreciate that that might not be a particularly compelling business strategy, but worth investigation, I'd have thought.
I'm surprised that Preston doesn't have a strong lunch market, there's a whole boatload of government offices a block away on Booth. There must be a good 5-8000 workers within one block's walk of Preston St, I'd have thought. Some of the places on Preston aren't great for lunch - they're far more oriented towards an evening meal - but I would have thought that, in my far from expert opinion, that there's a fair degree of "build it and they will come" in that area. I appreciate that that might not be a particularly compelling business strategy, but worth investigation, I'd have thought.
2012 Dec 10
On Preston - the lunch spots are busy, the sit down, take your time restaurants are not busy over lunch. Lunch spots are open morning/afternoon and close early. Dinner spots open later.
Also, the government focused restaurants are not open on weekends.
In Hintonburg, I doubt you'll get a strong lunch crowd.
Also, the government focused restaurants are not open on weekends.
In Hintonburg, I doubt you'll get a strong lunch crowd.
2012 Dec 10
I live in the Glebe, and I think that OOS would have a decent weekend traffic, but the density is not there for a big lunch time crowd - very few offices. You would do okay for dinner. However, the Havana Cafe is there, so maybe go in and eat there on a wednesday lunch or whatever and check them out.
Glebe would be better for lunch I think, but it is pricier. Again, a bit more of the lady/gentleman who lunches crowd.
Glebe would be better for lunch I think, but it is pricier. Again, a bit more of the lady/gentleman who lunches crowd.
2012 Dec 10
FlyingBanzini Not sure if you'll get much of a weekday lunch crowd that far up Bank. For that type of lunch crowd maybe Billings Bridge Plaza or the office building across the street would have retail space for lease?
FWIW there's a new office building going up on Elgin (at Slater I believe) and they may very well have ground floor retail space for lease. It might draw a bigger lunch time crowd.
FWIW there's a new office building going up on Elgin (at Slater I believe) and they may very well have ground floor retail space for lease. It might draw a bigger lunch time crowd.
2012 Dec 10
My only experience with lunch near Preston is DiRienzo's on Beech, which is always packed during the week. Myself and others in my office have driven from Hull just to go there. Used to go more frequently when I worked downtown but even then we'd have go out of our way to get there. So if you have a great product it seems to be an area people will visit. It's sort of a central hub for quite a few potential markets.
2012 Dec 10
If you can get a spot in walking distance of Tunney's Pasture AND do good catering you WILL be successful !
Here is my take on the area back in 2008:
ottawafoodies.com
A few resto's have changed but the lay of the land is pretty much the same.
A number of places failed where 'ello 'ello was (Now Credible Edibles seems to be having a go at it there) on Hinton St., off the beaten track.
I always had the idea that a sandwich place could fulfill multiple orders from just one dept, say on a once a week or bi-monthly basis.
Here is my take on the area back in 2008:
ottawafoodies.com
A few resto's have changed but the lay of the land is pretty much the same.
A number of places failed where 'ello 'ello was (Now Credible Edibles seems to be having a go at it there) on Hinton St., off the beaten track.
I always had the idea that a sandwich place could fulfill multiple orders from just one dept, say on a once a week or bi-monthly basis.
2012 Dec 11
I can assure you the good lunch places are packed on Preston street during the week. The places to grab a sandwich and go are also packed (Direnzo's, Morning Owl, Meadows Lunch). Weekend lunches are harder to find because many places are geared to office crowds and are closed Saturday & Sunday. A new sandwich place just opened up beside Pub Italia. I drove past at 7pm last night and it was crowded. It is a to-go only spot, no seats.
Dunn's is going to open and while I don't like the food, it is a draw for some. Bridgehead roastery opened here. The recreation centre (Plant) is a central spot and I see many families eating take-out in the lobby before/after kids lessons during the week. The brand-new MUP path the runs the entire strip between Dow's Lake and Ottawa River will be a big draw to cyclists in the summer and will be a new market to tap into.
Also remember that Preston is a central spot to non-office workers. The O-Train access at Carling, it is a hub for Winterlude, Tulipfest and other Dow's lake events. Preston street shuts down for Italianfest, and the streets fill with people for the shut-down. Restaurants are packed then.
Maybe the restaurants you asked have something else going on which makes them a poor draw for the lunch crowd.
Dunn's is going to open and while I don't like the food, it is a draw for some. Bridgehead roastery opened here. The recreation centre (Plant) is a central spot and I see many families eating take-out in the lobby before/after kids lessons during the week. The brand-new MUP path the runs the entire strip between Dow's Lake and Ottawa River will be a big draw to cyclists in the summer and will be a new market to tap into.
Also remember that Preston is a central spot to non-office workers. The O-Train access at Carling, it is a hub for Winterlude, Tulipfest and other Dow's lake events. Preston street shuts down for Italianfest, and the streets fill with people for the shut-down. Restaurants are packed then.
Maybe the restaurants you asked have something else going on which makes them a poor draw for the lunch crowd.
FlyingBanzini
Your thoughts?
It seems like it could do a nice lunch business or is it too far north? And, it probably supports some evening business, although it might be too far off the beaten track to get impulse traffic?
Adice and opinions, please.