Enquirer is now covering it: Jeff Ruby's Waterfront restaurant sitting on bottom of Ohio

 

Jeff Ruby's Waterfront restaurant is sinking. It is the latest in a series of bad luck for the floating restaurant, which Ruby has planned to rebuild on dry land.

 

The Waterfront is currently docked at the C&B Marina in the 6700 block of River Road.

 

The craft is listing about 40 degrees to starboard and resting on the bottom of the Ohio River, according to a spokesperson for the marina who declined to identify himself.

 

Cont

What does that mean?

What does that mean?

 

I'm pretty sure he meant paradise, but the combination of weird auto-correcting and him being an idiot....

So, does this mean he can collect some insurance $$ to build his new place?

Has that been the whole plan all along?

aqua arson?

So sick of hearing about this guy.  His endless need to talk about himself drives away at least as much business as it attracts.

 

 

So, does this mean he can collect some insurance $$ to build his new place?

Has that been the whole plan all along?

aqua arson?

 

Seems like that.  One would hate to speculate the worst but the path this barge has taken in its demise is the stuff conspiracy theories are made of.

Okay full disclosure.  I actually worked in the towboat/barge industry for a time. Barges do in fact just spontaneously sink.  However it is pretty rare and it is entirely preventable if a crew is checking the voids during each watch.  It's not so necessary with typical barges, but with something like this, it's something you check at least twice a day.  And sinking is easily prevented by placing a pump on the gunnel.  It is absolute standard practice.  It's something I myself did dozens if not hundreds of times.  Stopping damage to barges is relatively easy -- you climb into the void and plug holes with a wooden shingle.  Anyone who has actually been out there knows that this is no more than a 10 minute chore. 

 

Back in January or February Ruby had the excuse of the imaginary "iceberg".  He has no excuse now.  He let this thing sink.   

Do you really think Jeff Ruby, a very successful businessman, is intimately involved in the personal handling of the barge he is going to replace?  Do you think he personally untied the barge so it would float down the river and hit the bridge? 

 

I thought he was busy driving away all those customers.

Coming to the former Kay's space on Spring Grove Avenue, west of Hamilton, across from the BP in once forested Northside, is The Golden Tajine, Moroccan and Mediterranean Food.

no date

This is surprising as every lunch hour they was busy...

 

Downtown Cincinnati steakhouse closes

 

Kiji, a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant in the former downtown Cincinnati Benihana space, has closed.

 

A handwritten sign was posted on the door of the eatery at 126 E. Sixth St.

 

The restaurant opened in February after the space was renovated.

 

Cont

Though we’ve been dissing small plates over in the “trendy foods” post, it looks like we’ll be getting another small plates place in OTR: New Indian Restaurant Headed to OTR

 

^Yeah, not really excited about this. Small plates are usually out of my price range. I want some take out Indian food that I can eat for two meals for $10.

^Yeah, not really excited about this. Small plates are usually out of my price range. I want some take out Indian food that I can eat for two meals for $10.

 

Krishna Annex?

 

Cumin was very good, though. Looking forward to this new place.

I like Deep India more than Krishna.

 

Maybe call it Deeper India?

I like Deep India more than Krishna.

 

Maybe call it Deeper India?

 

bwahahahaha  :jo:

If anybody remembers Zino's in the old firehouse on short Vine, the owners' son is talking about dredging up some of the old favorites to serve from a foodtruck.

It's on th Bizness Currier site somewhere.

I remember The ZinOver

I remember The ZinOver

That's something the Zinomobile intends to carry

Though we’ve been dissing small plates over in the “trendy foods” post, it looks like we’ll be getting another small plates place in OTR: New Indian Restaurant Headed to OTR

 

 

I did feel that OTR needed a trendy Indian spot (it also needs an "artisinal chili parlor" as well). However, small plates >:(  - Tapas in Spain btw are like $1-3 dollars a plate >:(

 

 

Watch the chili place will be small plate 5 ways and cheese coneys for $10 a plate :P

"artisinal chili parlor"  The whole "artisinal and craft buzzword thing is so annoying.

There was a place in Milwaukee for a while called Chili Lilis. They specialized in ALL types of chili, Texas style, blue cheese chili, Cincinnati style, Veggie Chili, White Chili, Chili Verde. You name it.

 

I told the owner multiple time that he should open a location in OTR. It would've fit in perfectly.

There was a place in Milwaukee for a while called Chili Lilis. They specialized in ALL types of chili, Texas style, blue cheese chili, Cincinnati style, Veggie Chili, White Chili, Chili Verde. You name it.

 

I told the owner multiple time that he should open a location in OTR. It would've fit in perfectly.

 

That sounds delish!

"artisinal chili parlor"  The whole "artisinal and craft buzzword thing is so annoying.

 

An artisinal chili parlor selling farm-to-table food locally sourced with over 2000 craft beers on tap!  :evil:

 

Specializing on new takes on street food of Cincinnati during the mid 20th century.

Market, eatery planned for Mount Adams will focus on freshness

 

 

Sprout Market & Eatery, a concept focused on fresh, locally sourced food, is set to open in Mount Adams in late September or early October.

 

General manager Susana Tolentino, who previously worked for the Boca Group, partnered with executive chef Michael Brown, formerly of 20 Bricks and Daveeds, and sous chef Evan VanSickle, a Nada veteran, to bring the new idea to the former AliveOne space at the corner of St. Gregory and Pavilion.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/08/20/market-eatery-planned-for-mount-adams-will-focus.html

Mahogany's closed for failing to pay sales taxes: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/08/26/state-closes-restaurant/14639363/

State closes Mahogany’s at the Banks

Erin Caproni - Digital Producer - Cincinnati Business Courier

 

Mahogany’s at the Banks is closed after the restaurant violated the state of Ohio’s sales tax law.

 

Ohio Department of Taxation spokesman Gary Gudmundson confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that Mahogany’s had been closed and would be allowed to reopen if it repaid the amount it owed to the state. The exact amount of the taxes owed by Mahogany’s can’t be disclosed, he said.

 

“We often have businesses that are posted and pay off the same day it’s posted and are back in business,” Gudmundson told me.

 

Cont

Looks like someone got a favor from the state on this one...an event was planned there for Wednesday evening aimed at getting Rob Richardson elected president of the NAACP.  So one of Smitherman's new cronies in the state Republican party chose today to do this. 

Looks like someone got a favor from the state on this one...an event was planned there for Wednesday evening aimed at getting Rob Richardson elected president of the NAACP.  So one of Smitherman's new cronies in the state Republican party chose today to do this. 

 

Well at this point it's only one of two things: Someone doesn't want her there, or it's a failed business. At least at this point we can stop hand-wringing about why or how this place has had so much trouble, and that maybe "its just been a string of bad luck."

^Some people just have absolutely no idea how to run a business^

Or it's another one of the zillions of restaurants that has trouble paying the bills on time because restaurant operations gobble cash.

I don't think anyone has posted in this thread about Jeff Ruby's barge sinking into the river, again.

New bar coming to OTR this fall

 

A new bar focused on European craft beer will open in Over-the-Rhine this fall, Soapbox Cincinnati reports.

 

Liberty’s Bar & Bottle will feature 20 rotating taps, wine by the glass, and beer and wine to go. In addition to the European offerings, the bar will have a selection of local craft brews. A few liquor options will also be offered. The bar will provide locally sourced meat and cheese plates for customers to eat as they try its unique selections.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2014/08/new-bar-coming-to-otr-this-fall.html

Or it's another one of the zillions of restaurants that has trouble paying the bills on time because restaurant operations gobble cash.

 

I can't think of any other local restaurants in OTR or The Banks recently that have been seized in this manner. Which is why I must conclude, based on my limited information, that some party or parties does not want her to succeed, or it's just a spectacular, poorly managed flop. Even ignoring the media scrutiny, this is getting pretty ridiculous.

I don't think anyone has posted in this thread about Jeff Ruby's barge sinking into the river, again.

 

There was some talk on it here: Jeff Ruby's Waterfront

Looks like someone got a favor from the state on this one...an event was planned there for Wednesday evening aimed at getting Rob Richardson elected president of the NAACP.  So one of Smitherman's new cronies in the state Republican party chose today to do this. 

 

You may be absolutely right about the reason for this latest incident, but I've heard the menu at Mahogany's leaves a lot to be desired.  It could be that fat-laden, heavy southern food just isn't appealing to a wide-enough market for the restaurant to succeed.  I may be mistaken but think I read a while back that Michael Comisar was brought on as a consultant or something to help the place revamp.

It could be that fat-laden, heavy southern food just isn't appealing to a wide-enough market for the restaurant to succeed.

 

In Cincinnati?  I'm pretty sure it's appealing.

LOL ColDayMan!!!

 

All I can say is that some people I know have looked at Mahogany's menu and decided to dine at one of the many other nearby eateries at The Banks.  Other people I know have eaten there and just didn't like the heavy food.  Hopefully Michael Comisar's menu changes, to include some lighter, healthier fare (as stated in the link you(!) posted upthread on 7/31/14 to the Business Courier article I must've read a few weeks ago) will help matters.

 

 

When I think of Mahogany's succeeding I think of Wishbone in Chicago. Southern food, but something that appeals to everyone. Honestly, I think The Eagle walked away with that one for now. I think part of the problem is that The Banks is SO high profile. There was obviously a lot of community pressure to put something that represented black Cincinnati on the city's new front door, otherwise the city would not have gone out on such a limb for a small business. But you cannot force something like a restaurant. It has to grow organically out of the community. I think that actually underscores a problem with The Banks in general: What kind of neighborhood is it? What kind of retail mix should it have? Nobody knows. These things take time to evolve.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2014/09/02/banks-owner-to-mahoganys-get-out/14986811/

 

Mahogany's latest trouble with the state - trouble that prompted the restaurant to shutter for four days last week - was the last straw for its landlord.

 

[...]

 

Rogers also owes her landlord $22,620 in back rent, utilities and fees for missed payments. It's the second time this year she's fallen behind. In March she fell $56,000 behind, but caught up after the harsh winter. Those debts are on top of what she owes taxpayers: About $34,000 in back payments on a $300,000 loan. Rogers still owes $266,646 on the loan. She got another $689,000 in the form of a grant.

 

Mahogany’s told to leave the Banks

Erin Caproni Digital Producer- Cincinnati Business Courier

 

The owner of the Banks riverfront development notified Mahogany's restaurant owner Liz Rogers that she has violated the terms of her lease and is required to vacate the space if the city of Cincinnati doesn’t take action on her behalf in the next 10 days.

 

Tracy Schwegman of Jeffrey R. Anderson Real Estate, the Banks leasing agent, wrote that landlord NIC Riverbanks One informed the business on Aug. 26 that if the restaurant wasn’t opened before 5 p.m. on Aug. 29, the lease could be terminated.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/09/03/mahogany-s-told-to-leave-the-banks.html

 

Mahogany’s attorney: Eviction letter contains ‘numerous misstatements’

Erin Caproni Digital Producer- Cincinnati Business Courier

 

The attorney who represents Mahogany’s at the Banks owner Liz Rogers says a letter requiring the restaurant to vacate its space at the Banks riverfront development if the city doesn’t cover its late rent and other fees in the next 10 days contains misinformation.

 

“The letter ... contains numerous misstatements,” attorney Robert Croskery of Croskery Law Offices said in an email on Wednesday.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/09/03/mahogany-s-attorney-eviction-letter-contains.html

Mahogany's to city: Let's make a deal

 

Rogers, in a letter from her attorney to the city dated Sunday, proposed that city officials forgive her loan and sell the restaurant's furnishings for $12,000. In exchange, she'll move elsewhere in the city and won't participate in any public protests.

 

If the city doesn't accept the deal, Rogers suggests she would sue the city.

 

---

 

I actually think I might tune into 700WLW to listen to them discuss this one. Rogers has completely gone off the deep end at this point, I think we can all stop trying to perpetuate the excuse that the media was out to get her.

 

From the very beginning red flags went up for me on this one, not one of Mallory's/Mohaney's better moments.

Threatening a lawsuit? What a joke. The city has already said "no" to any extension or assistance to the failing restaurant that had trouble paying taxes before she ever moved into Cincinnati.

I went to Firehouse Pizza in Walnut Hills for the first time.  I think this place is doomed.  They got the space for something like $1 from the city.  Will there be the same outrage when they lock the doors in a year?

Mahogany's to city: Let's make a deal

 

Rogers, in a letter from her attorney to the city dated Sunday, proposed that city officials forgive her loan and sell the restaurant's furnishings for $12,000. In exchange, she'll move elsewhere in the city and won't participate in any public protests.

 

If the city doesn't accept the deal, Rogers suggests she would sue the city.

 

---

 

I actually think I might tune into 700WLW to listen to them discuss this one. Rogers has completely gone off the deep end at this point, I think we can all stop trying to perpetuate the excuse that the media was out to get her.

 

 

The tax payer funded gift that keeps giving.

I went to Firehouse Pizza in Walnut Hills for the first time.  I think this place is doomed.  They got the space for something like $1 from the city.  Will there be the same outrage when they lock the doors in a year?

 

Did Firehouse actually get any money from the city though, or are they leasing the property through the developer? The developer was the one who got that block for $1 but I can't find anything online about what their relationship is in terms of operating the restaurant. But aside from that, there are all sorts of incentives and abatements given out for new development in up and coming neighborhoods like Walnut Hills, but I can't really think of another situation where someone looking to open a restaurant in an already high demand area was handed nearly a million dollars in city money to spend on furniture, fixtures and equipment. It's a more tangible sum, which is part of what is generating the outrage. The remainder of the outrage is being generated in response to the owners own comments.

 

^ And why is Firehouse supposedly doomed anyway?

It's called Fireside.

 

I went to Fireside yesterday. I definitely wouldn't call it doomed. They have kinks to work out, but they haven't even had a grand opening yet. That's still two weeks away. Do they need to make improvements? Of course. Almost no restaurant opens up perfectly. Gomez Salsa certainly didn't open up without a hitch and they seem to be doing pretty well now. I always see a line there. Give it some time before you say something stupid about a restaurant.

 

And Fireside doesn't own the space so they couldn't have gotten the space for a dollar. They are leasing the space.

I was at Fireside on Friday. There was some confusion, which is common for a restaurant that is in the soft open phase. When I arrived there were maybe six people in the seating area. However as the night progressed it filled up pretty quickly. The open doors in the front are a great feature. I'm looking forward to the restaurant being a cornerstone of the redevelopment of the McMillian corridor.

 

They are doing their Grand Opening during the Walnut Hills Street Food Festival on Sept. 27.

 

Definitely not doomed by any means.